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Background: Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is an important problem in cattle production that is responsible for economic losses in dairy herds. Mycoplasma spp. are described as an important etiological agent of BRD. Hypothesis:To evaluate the occurrence of the most important mycoplasmas in the lower respiratory tract of healthy and BRD cattle in relationship to clinical signs of BRD. Animals: Sixty young dairy cattle were classified as healthy (n = 32) or cattle showing clinical signs of BRD (n = 28). Methods: Tracheal lavage samples were collected and added to tubes containing Hayflick media. Mycoplasma spp. were identified by the presence of “fried egg” like colonies, biochemical tests and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Occurrence of Mollicutes, M. bovis, M. mycoides subsp. mycoides SC and M. dispar was evaluated. The association between clinical signs of BRD and the presence of Mycoplasma spp. also was evaluated. Results: Colonies were obtained from a 1-year-old BRD calf only. However, species identification was not possible. Mollicutes (P = .035) and M. dispar (P = .036) were more common in BRD cattle. The relationship between Mollicutes and crackle (P = .057) was not significant. M. dispar was associated to tachypnea (P = .045) and mixed dyspnea (P = .003). Relationships to heart rate (P = .062) and crackle (P = .062) were not significant. Conclusions and clinical importance: The results confirmed the importance of mycoplasma as an etiologic agent of BRD and suggested M. dispar as part of the respiratory microbiota and its possible role in the development of BRD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sheep respiratory disease (SRD) is a multifactorial illness commonly affecting sheep. Mesomycoplasma (Mycoplasma) ovipneumoniae is one of the most important etiological agents of SRD and should be better understood, especially in countries where it was recently detected, such as Brazil. Also, the intensive use of quinolones in mycoplasmal infections increases the selective pressure for resistance to this drug class, and no data about antimicrobial resistance in Brazil is available. Therefore, this study aimed to perform a comparative genomic analysis of newly isolated Brazilian M. ovipneumoniae strains, identify point mutations in target genes that may be associated with antibiotic resistance, and perform a phylogenomic analysis of these strains with available genome representatives of M. ovipneumoniae. Glucose-fermenting fried egg-like colonies identified as M. ovipneumoniae were obtained after a culture of tracheobronchial lavage from infected sheep. The genomes were sequenced, de novo assembled and comparatively evaluated. Important putative virulence factors were detected in all isolates: the analysis of the average nucleotide homology of all these genes with the M. ovipneumoniae ATCC 29419 revealed associations between clpB, lgt, tuf, and dnaJ genes and geographic location. In addition, nucleotide substitutions in a few positions of the Quinolone-Resistant Determinant Region of the gyrA gene, including the Ser83Ala, were detected. The phylogenomic analysis showed that the Brazilian isolates belonged to two different clades corresponding to geographic location, and the isolates from São Paulo showed high similarity, which differs from isolates from Rio de Janeiro. This first genomic analysis of the Brazilian M. ovipneumoniae genomes demonstrates strain segregation according to location and health status, reinforcing the importance of continuous surveillance and diagnostics of this bacteria causing sheep respiratory disease in the Brazilian flocks. • Genomic analysis of newly isolated Brazilian M. ovipneumoniae strains was performed. • Mutations in the Quinolone-resistant determinant Region of gyrA gene were detected. • Brazilian isolates belong to two different clades regarding the location. • Isolates from São Paulo show high similarity compared to those from Rio de Janeiro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persons experiencing homelessness in São Paulo, Brazil, were seropositive for Bartonella spp. (79/109, 72.5%) and typhus group rickettsiae (40/109, 36.7%). Bartonella quintana DNA was detected in 17.1% (14/82) body louse pools and 0.9% (1/114) blood samples. Clinicians should consider vectorborne agents as potential causes of febrile syndromes in this population.

Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae is an important etiological agent of sheep respiratory disease worldwide. Here, we describe the first isolation and draft genome sequence of M. ovipneumoniae strain USP-BR2017 retrieved from tracheobronchial lavage of a sheep showing clinical signs of respiratory disease in the Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. The culture of tracheobronchial lavage resulted in glucose-fermenting fried egg colonies, which were identified as M. ovipneumoniae by polymerase chain reaction. The genome was sequenced using the Illumina NextSeq 2000 and de novo assembled using SPAdes. The genome of the sequenced organism presented an approximate size of 1,122,253 bp. The annotation revealed 773 coding DNA sequences (CDSs), 806 genes, three rRNAs, and 30 tRNAs. Data analysis revealed M. ovipneumoniae strain USP-BR2017 contains a few virulence genes, including the hemolysing C gene (hlyC). In addition, strain USP-BR2017 showed high identity over the 16S rRNA gene with other sheep isolates from China and United States. This first description of M. ovipneumoniae in diseased Brazilian sheep demonstrates the importance of continuous surveillance and diagnostics of pathogens causing respiratory disease in sheep in Brazil., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Inflammation is a complex biological response involving the immune, autonomic, vascular, and somatosensory systems that occurs through the synthesis of inflammatory mediators and pain induction by the activation of nociceptors. Staphylococcus aureus, the main cause of bacteremia, is one of the most common and potent causes of inflammation in public health, with worse clinical outcomes in hospitals. Antioxidant substances have been evaluated as alternative therapeutic analgesics, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, antitumor agents, and bactericides. Among these, we highlight the essential oils of aromatic plants, such as β-caryophyllene (BCP), and polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The objective of this study was to evaluate the biological activities of BCP-DHA association in in vitro and in vivo experimental models of antinociception and inflammation. To determine the anti-inflammatory effects, monocytes isolated from the peripheral blood of adult male volunteers were infected with methicillin-resistant S. aureus and incubated with treatment for cytokine dosage and gene expression analysis. Antinociceptive effects were observed in the three models when comparing the control (saline) and the BCP-DHA treatment groups. For this purpose, the antinociceptive effects were evaluated in animal models using the following tests: acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing, paw edema induced by formalin intraplantar injection, and von Frey hypernociception. There was a significant reduction in the GM-CSF, TNFα, IL-1, IL-6, and IL-12 levels and an increase in IL-10 levels in the BCP-DHA treatment groups, in addition to negative regulation of the expression of the genes involved in the intracellular inflammatory signaling cascade (IL-2, IL-6, IRF7, NLRP3, and TYK2) in all groups receiving treatment, regardless of the presence of infection. Statistically significant results (p < 0.05) were obtained in the acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing test, evaluation of paw edema, evaluation of paw flinching and licking in the formalin intraplantar injection model, and the von Frey hypernociception test. Therefore, BCP and DHA, either administered individually or combined, demonstrate potent anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for causing Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19), a heterogeneous clinical condition that manifests varying symptom severity according to the demographic profile of the studied population. While many studies have focused on the spread of COVID-19 in large urban centers in Brazil, few have evaluated medium or small cities in the Northeast region. The aims of this study were: (i) to identify risk factors for mortality from SARS-CoV-2 infection, (ii) to evaluate the gene expression patterns of key immune response pathways using nasopharyngeal swabs of COVID-19 patients, and (iii) to identify the circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants in the residents of a medium-sized city in Northeast Brazil. A total of 783 patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 between May 2020 and August 2021 were included in this study. Clinical-epidemiological data from patients who died and those who survived were compared. Patients were also retrospectively divided into three groups based on disease severity: asymptomatic, mild, and moderate/severe. Samples were added to a qPCR array for analyses of 84 genes involved with immune response pathways and sequenced using the Oxford Nanopore MinION technology. Having pre-existing comorbidity; being male; having cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; and PCR cycle threshold (Ct) values under 22 were identified as risk factors for mortality. Analysis of the expression profiles of inflammatory pathway genes showed that the greater the infection severity, the greater the activation of inflammatory pathways, triggering the cytokine storm and downregulating anti-inflammatory pathways. Viral genome analysis revealed the circulation of multiple lineages, such as B.1, B.1.1.28, Alpha, and Gamma, suggesting that multiple introduction events had occurred over time. This study's findings help identify the specific strains and increase our understanding of the true state of local health. In addition, our data demonstrate that epidemiological and genomic surveillance together can help formulate public health strategies to guide governmental actions.

Mycoplasma hominis can be isolated from the human urogenital tract. However, its interaction with the host remains poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to assess the effects of M. hominis infection on primary human keratinocytes (PHKs). Cells were quantified at different phases of the cell cycle. Proteins involved in cell cycle regulation and apoptosis progression were evaluated. The expression of genes encoding proteins that are associated with the DNA damage response and Toll-like receptor pathways was evaluated, and the cytokines involved in inflammatory responses were quantified. A greater number of keratinocytes were observed in the Sub-G0/G1 phase after infection with M. hominis . In the viable keratinocytes, infection resulted in G2/M-phase arrest; GADD45A expression was increased, as was the expression of proteins such as p53, p27, and p21 and others involved in apoptosis regulation and oxidative stress. In infected PHKs, the expression of genes associated with the Toll-like receptor pathways showed a change, and the production of IFN-γ, interleukin (IL) 1β, IL-18, IL-6, and tumour necrosis factor alpha increased. The infection of PHKs by M. hominis causes cellular damage that can affect the cell cycle by activating the response pathways to cellular damage, oxidative stress, and Toll-like receptors. Overall, this response culminated in the reduction of cell proliferation/viability in vitro.

The present study evaluated the gut microbiota profiles of 40 women and correlated them with their nutritional, inflammatory, and hormonal profiles. Stool and blood samples were collected, and anthropometric measurements were obtained from 20 women diagnosed with obesity ("case" group) and 20 women with weight in the normal range ("control" group). Bacteria belonging to two phyla, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, one class, Mollicutes, and four genera were evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Levels of 18 inflammatory cytokines were measured using the Luminex assay, and ghrelin and leptin levels were measured using enzymatic immunoadsorption assay. Mollicutes proportion differed significantly between the case and control groups, and a significant positive association was detected between the presence of Mollicutes and obesity. Statistically significant differences were observed between the proportions of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes in the two groups, with a higher proportion of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio among the gut microbiota of women in the case group compared to those of the control group. Higher counts of Escherichia coli and Clostridium spp. were observed in the control group than in the case group, whereas higher counts of Lactobacillus spp. and Bacteroides spp. were detected in the case group than in the control group. There was a positive correlation between interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) levels and the anthropometric variables and a negative correlation between IL-10 and these variables. Leptin and ghrelin concentrations differed significantly between the two groups and showed positive and negative correlation with obesity predictors, respectively. Therefore, gut microbiota was associated with obesity in women from this study group. Moreover, this microbiota was associated with inflammatory profiles and alterations in ghrelin and leptin levels., (© 2022. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Sociedade Brasileira de Microbiologia.)

Ureaplasma diversum is a bacterial pathogen that infects cattle and can cause severe inflammation of the genital and reproductive systems. Lipid-associated membrane proteins (LAMPs), including GUDIV-103, are the main virulence factors in this bacterium. In this study, we heterologously expressed recombinant GUDIV-103 (rGUDIV-103) in Escherichia coli, purified it, and evaluated its immunological reactivity and immunomodulatory effects in bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Samples from rabbits inoculated with purified rGUDIV-103 were analysed using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and dot blotting to confirm polyclonal antibody production and assess kinetics, respectively. The expression of this lipoprotein in field isolates was confirmed via Western blotting with anti-rGUDIV-103 serum and hydrophobic or hydrophilic proteins from 42 U. diversum strains. Moreover, the antibodies produced against the U. diversum ATCC 49783 strain recognised rGUDIV-103. The mitogenic potential of rGUDIV-103 was evaluated using a lymphoproliferation assay in 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester−labelled bovine PBMCs, where it induced lymphocyte proliferation. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that the expression of interleukin-1β, toll-like receptor (TLR)-α, TLR2, TLR4, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and caspase-3−encoding genes increased more in rGUDIV-103−treated PBMCs than in untreated cells (p < 0.05). Treating PBMCs with rGUDIV-103 increased nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide levels. The antigenic and immunogenic properties of rGUDIV-103 suggested its suitability for immunobiological application.

Background: Mycoplasma agalactiae is the main etiological agent of Contagious Agalactia syndrome of small ruminants notifiable to the World Organization for Animal Health. Despite serious economic losses, successful vaccines are unavailable, largely because its colonization and invasion factors are not well understood. This study evaluates the role of two recently identified antigenic proteins (MAG&#95;1560, MAG&#95;6130) and the cytadhesin P40 in pathogenicity related phenotypes., Results: Adhesion to HeLa and sheep primary mammary stromal cells (MSC) was evaluated using ELISA, as well as in vitro adhesion assays on monolayer cell cultures. The results demonstrated MAG&#95;6130 as a novel adhesin of M. agalactiae whose capacity to adhere to eukaryotic cells was significantly reduced by specific antiserum. Additionally, these proteins exhibited significant binding to plasminogen and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins like lactoferrin, fibrinogen and fibronectin, a feature that could potentially support the pathogen in host colonization, tissue migration and immune evasion. Furthermore, these proteins played a detrimental role on the host cell proliferation and viability and were observed to activate pro-apoptotic genes indicating their involvement in cell death when eukaryotic cells were infected with M. agalactiae., Conclusions: To summarize, the hypothetical protein corresponding to MAG&#95;6130 has not only been assigned novel adhesion functions but together with P40 it is demonstrated for the first time to bind to lactoferrin and ECM proteins thereby playing important roles in host colonization and pathogenicity., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Although mycoplasmas have a reduced genome and no cell wall, they have important mechanisms for the antigenic variation in surface lipoproteins that modulate their interactions with the host. Mycoplasma agalactiae , the main etiological agent of contagious agalactia, has a multigene family involved in the high-frequency phase variation in surface lipoproteins called variable proteins of M. agalactiae (Vpmas). The Vpma lipoproteins are involved in the immune evasion, colonization, dissemination, and persistence of M. agalactiae in the host. In this paper, we evaluate the Vpma phenotypic profiles of two different strains of M. agalactiae, namely, GM139 and the type strain PG2, to assess possible correlations between Vpma phase variability and the geographic localization, animal origin, and pathogenicity of these two strains. Using monospecific Vpma antibodies against individual Vpmas in immunoblots, we demonstrate that, unlike PG2, which expresses six Vpma proteins with high-frequency phase variation, colonies of GM139 predominantly express VpmaV and do not exhibit any sectoring phenotype for any Vpma. Since VpmaV is one of the most important Vpmas for cell adhesion and invasion, its predominant sole expression in GM139 without high-frequency variation may be the basis of the differential pathogenicity of GM139 and PG2. Additionally, MALDI-ToF MS analysis also demonstrates significant differences between these two strains and their relatedness with other M. agalactiae strains.

Background: Gastric cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide and has been associated with infections that may promote tumour progression. Accordingly, we analysed the presence of Mollicutes, Mycoplasma hyorhinis, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Helicobacter pylori in gastric cancer tissues and evaluated their correlation with clinicopathological factors., Methods: Using a commercial kit, DNA were extracted from 120 gastric samples embedded in paraffin: 80 from patients with gastric cancer and 40 from cancer free patients, dating from 2006 to 2016. Mollicutes and H. pylori were detected by PCR; F. nucleatum and M. hyorhinis were detected by qPCR, together with immunohistochemistry for the latter bacteria., Results: Mollicutes were detected in the case and control groups (12% and 2.5%) and correlated with the papillary histologic pattern (P = 0.003), likely due to cell transformation promoted by Mollicutes. M. hyorhinis was detected in the case and control group but was not considered a cancer risk factor. H. pylori was detected at higher loads in the case compared to the control group (8% and 22%, P = 0.008) and correlated with metastasis (P = 0.024), lymphatic invasion (P = 0.033), tumour of diffused type (P = 0.028), and histopathological grading G1/G2 (P = 0.008). F. nucleatum was the most abundant bacteria in the case group, but was also detected in the control group (26% and 2.5%). It increased the cancer risk factor (P = 0.045, OR = 10.562, CI95% = 1.057-105.521), and correlated with old age (P = 0.030) and tumour size (P = 0.053). Bacterial abundance was significantly different between groups (P = 0.001)., Conclusion: Our findings could improve the control and promote our understanding of opportunistic bacteria and their relevance to malignant phenotypes., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive bacterium that is considered an important human pathogen. Due to its virulence and ability to acquire mechanisms of resistance to antibiotics, the clinical severity of S. aureus infection is driven by inflammatory responses to the bacteria. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the modulating role of citral in inflammation caused by S. aureus infection. For this, we used an isolate obtained from a nasal swab sample of a healthy child attending a day-care centre in Vitória da Conquista, Bahia, Brazil. The role of citral in modulating immunological factors against S. aureus infection was evaluated by isolating and cultivating human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The monocytes were treated with 4%, 2%, and 1% citral before and after inoculation with S. aureus. The cells were analysed by immunophenotyping of monocyte cell surface molecules (CD54, CD282, CD80, HLA-DR, and CD86) and cytokine dosage (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-23, IFN-γ, TGF-β, and TNF-α), and evaluated for the expression of 84 genes related to innate and adaptive immune system responses. GraphPad Prism software and variables with P values < 0.05, were used for statistical analysis. Our data demonstrated citral's action on the expression of surface markers involved in recognition, presentation, and migration, such as CD14, CD54, and CD80, in global negative regulation of inflammation with inhibitory effects on NF-κB, JNK/p38, and IFN pathways. Consequently, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12p70, IL-23, IFN-γ, and TNF-α cytokine expression was reduced in groups treated with citral and groups treated with citral at 4%, 2%, and 1% and infected, and levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 were increased. Furthermore, citral could be used as a supporting anti-inflammatory agent against infections caused by S. aureus. There are no data correlating citral, S. aureus, and the markers analysed here; thus, our study addresses this gap in the literature., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Objective: To study the inflammatory profile and genes involved in the response to bacterial infections in women who developed spontaneous abortion in the presence of Ureaplasma parvum., Design: Cross-sectional study., Setting: A maternal and child referral center., Patient(s): Eighty-nine women with spontaneous abortion and 20 women with normal vaginal delivery (control group) were studied., Intervention(s): Samples of biopsied placental tissue were collected for Mollicutes detection., Main Outcome Measure(s): The samples were subjected to histologic analysis, immunohistochemical evaluation for macrophages and lymphocytes, cytokine quantification, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction array to evaluate the expression of 84 genes related to the innate and adaptive immune responses., Result(s): The presence of U. parvum in the abortion group was positively associated with the influx of polymorphonuclear cells in the placental tissue and increased concentrations of interleukin-6 and interleukin-12p70. U. parvum caused downregulation of genes involved in the immune response, such as attraction of immune cells, activation of an inflammatory response, T-helper cell 17 response activation, and activation of the complement system at the beginning and end of pregnancy., Conclusion: The direct action of U. parvum on placental tissue altered the gestational tolerogenic state, reducing the immune response against pathogens and activating the extrinsic apoptotic pathway, causing spontaneous abortion., (Copyright © 2021 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Brazil has a herd of over 9 million goats, and the northeast of Brazil is home to over 93% of this herd. Caprine mycoplasmosis are widely disseminated worldwide, being highly contagious with high rates of morbidity and mortality, causing considerable economic loss to goat herders. In addition, there has been a lack of research using molecular testing to monitor the health and detect Mollicutes in this herd in Brazil. Therefore, the aim of this study is to associate animal management with the presence of the caprine origin Mollicutes in goats, in the southwest region of the state of Bahia, Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted on twelve farms, and statistical analyses were performed to identify associations between the presence of Mollicutes and the management of goats. Molecular testing identified Mollicutes class, Mycoplasma agalactiae (Ma) and M. conjunctivae (Mc), in the samples analyzed. Statistical associations were observed between animals from intensive livestock facilities and the presence of Mollicutes in nasal samples and dairy ranch animals and the presence of Mollicutes in ocular samples and animals from extensive ranching sites and positive results of Mollicutes in genital samples. We conclude that mycoplasmas are present in goat herds in the southwestern region of Bahia, which supports the need for more focused studies of mycoplasmas throughout the country. Our research also demonstrated the presence of two important opportunistic bacteria, Mc and Ma, and, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that M. conjunctivae was detected in Brazilian goats by molecular testing., (© 2021. Sociedade Brasileira de Microbiologia.)

Pneumonia in cattle is one of the causes of morbidity rates and economic loss. The host response to lung infections caused by Ureaplasma diversum in bovines is virtually unknown. Here in the immune response was evaluated in a murine model for an experimental pulmonary infection by U. diversum. Therefore, AJ, BALB/C and C57BL/6 mice received intratracheal inoculation of U. diversum and were evaluated after 1, 2, 3, 7 and 14 days and the clinical specimens were collected. In bronchoalveolar lavages (BAL) an increase of inflammatory cells was observed. Neutrophils were the main cells recruited to the site of infection and the infiltration was coincided with the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. We found a large amount of neutrophil in this initial period, followed by a decrease 7 and 14 days post infection, accompanied by bacterial clearance. Our results evidenced the presence of U. diversum within the neutrophil that suggests a phagocytic role of this cell in the elimination of the infection. The immune response features reported here are the initial evidence that healthy immune systems may control these microorganisms. This may be the first step to design new strategies immune based to control the infections in naturally infected hosts.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is responsible for high morbidity and mortality rates. Citral has been studied in the pharmaceutical industry and has shown antimicrobial activity. This study aimed to analyze the antimicrobial activity of citral in inhibiting biofilm formation and modulating virulence genes, with the ultimate goal of finding a strategy for treating infections caused by MRSA strains. Citral showed antimicrobial activity against MRSA isolates with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values between 5 mg/mL (0.5%) and 40 mg/mL (4%), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values between 10 mg/mL (1%) and 40 mg/mL (4%). The sub-inhibitory dose was 2.5 mg/mL (0.25%). Citral, in an antibiogram, modulated synergistically, antagonistically, or indifferent to the different antibiotics tested. Prior to evaluating the antibiofilm effects of citral, we classified the bacteria according to their biofilm production capacity. Citral showed greater efficacy in the initial stage, and there was a significant reduction in biofilm formation compared to the mature biofilm. qPCR was used to assess the modulation of virulence factor genes, and icaA underexpression was observed in isolates 20 and 48. For icaD, seg, and sei, an increase was observed in the expression of ATCC 33,591. No significant differences were found for eta and etb. Citral could be used as a supplement to conventional antibiotics for MRSA infections., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

To describe how 17β-estradiol (E2) influence in the monocyte/macrophage response induced by S. aureus in in vitro models of murine peritoneal macrophages (MPMs) and human peripheral blood monocytes (HPBM). MPMs (2 x 10 5 /ml) were isolated from sham (n=3) and ovariectomized (OVX) females (n = 3) and males (n = 3) after induction by thioglycolate. The MPMs obtained from OVX females and males were treated for 24 hours with 17β-estradiol (E2) (10 -7 M), and after that, inoculation with S. aureus was carried out for 6 hours. The macrophages were collected and destined to evaluate the relative gene expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TLR2. For the in vitro model of HPBMs, six men and six women of childbearing age were selected and HPBMs were isolated from samples of the volunteers' peripheral blood. In women, blood was collected both during menstruation and in the periovulatory period. HPBMs were inoculated with S. aureus for 6 hours and the supernatant was collected for analysis of cytokines by Luminex and the HPBMs were removed for analysis of 84 genes involved in the host's response to bacterial infections by RT-PCR array. Previous treatment with E2 decreased the gene expression and production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 and decreased the expression of TLR2 tanto em MPMs quanto em HPBMs. The analysis of gene expression shows that E2 inhibited the NFκB pathway. It is suggested that 17β-estradiol acts as an immunoprotective in the monocyte/macrophage response induced by S. aureus ., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Souza, Barbosa, Coelho, Santos Júnior, Barbosa, Queiroz, Teles, dos Santos, Bittencourt, Soares, Oliveira, Timenetsky, Campos and Marques.)

Homeless persons have been considered as one of the most susceptible populations to sexually transmitted infections. In Brazil, these population experienced an increase of 140% from 2012 to 2020. Accordingly, the present study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of anti-Treponema pallidum, anti-HCV, anti-HIV antibodies, and the risk factors associated with homeless persons in a daytime attendance shelter of São Paulo city during the syphilis epidemic in Brazil. Blood samples of 116 volunteers and epidemiological data were conveniently collected in the shelter from June through August 2018. Detection of syphilis, HCV, and HIV antibodies was performed by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA). CMIA-reagent samples for anti-T. pallidum antibodies were confirmed by Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) non-treponemal test. VDRL non-reagent samples were confirmed by treponemal rapid immunochromatographic test. A rapid immunoblot assay confirmed seropositivity to HIV. Overall, anti-T. pallidum antibodies were observed in 29/116 (25.0%), anti-HCV antibodies in 4/116 (3.4%), and anti-HIV antibodies in 2/116 (1.7%) individuals, both co-infected with anti-T. pallidum antibodies. Associated risk factors for syphilis in homeless persons were being born or previously living in another city (p = 0.043) and becoming homeless due to family conflicts (p = 0.035). Besides homeless vulnerability, worldwide shortage of benzathine penicillin supply and increasing of syphilis testing access through rapid testing in primary health care services may have also impacted disease spreading at the time. The prevalence of syphilis found herein is the highest worldwide to date in this population., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Sociedade Brasileira de Infectologia. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Background: Probiotics are important tools in therapies against vaginal infections and can assist traditional antibiotic therapies in restoring healthy microbiota. Recent research has shown that microorganisms belonging to the genus Lactobacillus have probiotic potential. Thus, this study evaluated the potential in vitro probiotic properties of three strains of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, isolated during the fermentation of high-quality cocoa, against Gardnerella vaginalis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Strains were evaluated for their physiological, safety, and antimicrobial characteristics., Results: The hydrophobicity of L. plantarum strains varied from 26.67 to 91.67%, and their autoaggregation varied from 18.10 to 30.64%. The co-aggregation of L. plantarum strains with G. vaginalis ranged from 14.73 to 16.31%, and from 29.14 to 45.76% with N. gonorrhoeae. All L. plantarum strains could moderately or strongly produce biofilms. L. plantarum strains did not show haemolytic activity and were generally sensitive to the tested antimicrobials. All lactobacillus strains were tolerant to heat and pH resistance tests. All three strains of L. plantarum showed antimicrobial activity against the tested pathogens. The coincubation of L. plantarum strains with pathogens showed that the culture pH remained below 4.5 after 24 h. All cell-free culture supernatants (CFCS) demonstrated activity against the two pathogens tested, and all L. plantarum strains produced hydrogen peroxide. CFCS characterisation in conjunction with gas chromatography revealed that organic acids, especially lactic acid, were responsible for the antimicrobial activity against the pathogens evaluated., Conclusion: The three strains of L. plantarum presented significant probiotic characteristics against the two pathogens of clinical importance. In vitro screening identified strong probiotic candidates for in vivo studies for the treatment of vaginal infections.