Parasites are accountable for driving diversity within immune gene families. We identified and investigated regulatory single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter regions of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 18 (TNFRSF18) gene by direct sequencing in a group of male Gabonese individuals exposed to a wide array of parasitic diseases such as malaria, filariasis and schistosomiasis. Two new promoter variants were identified in 40 individuals. Both novel variants were heterozygous and were linked to SNP #rs3753344 (C/T), which has been described. One of the SNP variants (ss2080581728) was close to the general transcription factor site, the TATA box. We further validated these new promoter variants for their allelic gene expression using transient transfection assays. One new promoter variant with two base changes (C/T - ss2080581728/rs3753344) displayed an altered expression of the marker gene. Both novel variants remained less active at the non-induced state in comparison to the major allele. The allele frequencies observed in this study were consistent with data for other African populations. The detection and analysis of these human immune gene polymorphisms contribute to a better understanding of the interaction between host-parasite and expression of Treg activity.

Estudos de campo na Amazonia ocidental (Estado do Acre, Brasil) indicam que as 4-aminoquinolinas, assim como a sua combinação com sulfadoxina-pirimetamina não podem mais ser recomendadas para o tratamento e profilaxia das infecções pelo P. falciparum nesta região. A quinina permanece como droga efetiva quando usada corretamente. Entretanto, problemas podem surgir devido aos efeitos colaterais durante sua aplicação por período de 10 dias. Possibilidades de ultrapassar estes problemas combinando curto espaço de administração da quinina com outras drogas estão no momento limitadas devido à falta de um composto associado adequado. Por esta razão, a combinação quinina/clindamicina parece ser a terapêutica mais adequada para a malária pelo P. falciparum. Nossos estudos in vitro sugerem que a mefloquina é outra alternativa efetiva para o tratamento da malária falciparum nesta região da Amazônia.

Field studies in the western Amazon region (state of Acre, Brazil) indicate that the 4-aminoquinolines, as well as the combined regimen with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, can no longer be recomended for the treatment and prophylaxis of P. falciparum infections in this region. Quinine remains an effective drug when used correctly. However, compliance problems arise due to the often occurring side-effects during a ten day regimen. Prospects of overcoming these constraints by combining a short course of quinine with other drugs are limited, because of the lack of suitable partner compounds. For this reason quinine/clindamycin appears to be a more practical therapy of P. falciparum malaria. In vitro data from this study suggest that mefloquine is another effective alternative for the treatment of falciparum malaria in this Amazon region.

Testes para citotoxicidade e lise amebiana foram utilizados para demonstrar uma possível interação entre o fator reumatóide e a Entamoeba histolytica. A atividade citotóxica amebiana foi inibida pela IgG antiameba de coelho purificada através de cromatografia. Constatou-se inibição aumentada com IgG antiameba de coelho mais fator reumatóide. A mesma inibição acentuada da atividade citotóxica amebiana pôde ser constatada quando se substituiu o fator reumatóide por soro humano normal, inativado pelo calor, como controle. Cerca de 50% de lise amebiana ocorreu quando as amebas foram misturadas com soro normal humano como fonte de complemento. A lise amebiana aumentou para 60% quando incubadas com soro humano normal, acrescido de anticorpos humanos antiameba. Nenhum aumento adicional pode ser obtido pela adição de fator reumatóide. Usando IgG antiameba de coelho em vez de anticorpos humanos, a proporção de lise não aumentou. A incubação de amebas com soro humano normal, IgG antiameba de coelho e fator reumatóide reduziu acentuadamente a lise amebiana. O fator reumatóide não teve efeito na atividade citotóxica amebiana, nem na lise amebiana mediada pelo complemento in vitro.

The amoebae's cytotoxicity test and the amoebae's lysis test were used to show possible interactions between rheumatoid factor (RF) and Entamoeba histolytica. Amoebae's cytotoxic activity (ACA) was inhibited by affinity chromatography purified antiamoebae rabbit IgG (RIgG). Enhanced inhibition could be demonstrated with RIgG plus RF. But the same marked inhibition of ACA could be seen when replacing RF by heat inactivated normal human serum as a control. About 50% amoebae's lysis occurred when amoebae were brought together with native normal human serum (NNHS) as a source of complement. Amoebae's lysis increased to 60% when incubated with NHS plus human antiamoebae antibodies. No further augmentation could be obtained by the addition of RF. Using RIgG instead of human antibodies the lysis rate did not increase. Incubation of amoebae, NNHS, RIgG and RF even reduced amoebae's lysis. RF neither has an effect on ACA nor on complement mediated AL in vitro.