Objective::This review aimed to compile scientific data on the distribution and prevalence of group B Streptococcus (GBS) serotypes isolated from pregnant women across 30 countries from 2010 to 2019. Methods::This was a systematic review that addresses the distribution and prevalence of GBS in pregnant women. The search included studies published between January 2010 and December 2019 in PubMed, Virtual Health Library (BVS), ScienceDirect, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), and LILACS databases. We also surveyed relevant articles published in English, Spanish, and Portuguese between February and April 2020. Original articles, communication, short report, theses, and dissertations were included. The prevalence of GBS colonization, method for capsular serotyping, antimicrobial resistance, distribution and prevalence of serotypes were extracted from each study.Results::In all, 795 publications were identified. After applying the eligibility criteria, 48 articles were included for the final systematic analysis; most articles were from Asia and were published during the years 2014 to 2017. For the identification of serotypes, most studies used the polymerase chain reaction technique. There were records of all 10 GBS serotypes, namely, Ia, Ib, and II–IX, among the countries analyzed. GBS susceptibility and resistance to antibiotics were addressed in 37.5% of the publications analysed.Conclusion::This review showed that GBS serotypes are distributed differently in the 30 analyzed countries, with serotypes Ia, Ib, and II to V being the most prevalent. Furthermore, our results highlighted the relationship of GBS with maternal colonization, implications for neonates, and antibiotic resistance.

Objective::This review aimed to compile scientific data on the distribution and prevalence of group B Streptococcus (GBS) serotypes isolated from pregnant women across 30 countries from 2010 to 2019. Methods::This was a systematic review that addresses the distribution and prevalence of GBS in pregnant women. The search included studies published between January 2010 and December 2019 in PubMed, Virtual Health Library (BVS), ScienceDirect, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), and LILACS databases. We also surveyed relevant articles published in English, Spanish, and Portuguese between February and April 2020. Original articles, communication, short report, theses, and dissertations were included. The prevalence of GBS colonization, method for capsular serotyping, antimicrobial resistance, distribution and prevalence of serotypes were extracted from each study.Results::In all, 795 publications were identified. After applying the eligibility criteria, 48 articles were included for the final systematic analysis; most articles were from Asia and were published during the years 2014 to 2017. For the identification of serotypes, most studies used the polymerase chain reaction technique. There were records of all 10 GBS serotypes, namely, Ia, Ib, and II–IX, among the countries analyzed. GBS susceptibility and resistance to antibiotics were addressed in 37.5% of the publications analysed.Conclusion::This review showed that GBS serotypes are distributed differently in the 30 analyzed countries, with serotypes Ia, Ib, and II to V being the most prevalent. Furthermore, our results highlighted the relationship of GBS with maternal colonization, implications for neonates, and antibiotic resistance.

This study aimed to measure the levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin 1 (IL-1), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and nitrite/nitrate (NOx) in serum of dogs experimentally infected with Rangelia vitalii. Twelve female mongrel dogs were divided into 2 groups; group A (uninfected controls) composed by healthy dogs (n=5) and group B consisting of dogs inoculated with R. vitalii (n=7). Animals were monitored by blood smear examinations, which showed intraerythrocytic forms of the parasite on day 5 post-infection (PI). Blood samples were collected through the jugular vein on days 0, 10, and 20 PI to determine the serum levels of IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-1, IL-6, and NOx. Cytokines were assessed by ELISA quantitative sandwich technique, and NOx was measured by the modified Griess method. Cytokine levels (IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-1, and IL-6) were increased (P<0.01) in serum of infected animals. Serum levels of NOx were also increased on days 10 PI (P<0.01) and 20 PI (P<0.05) in infected animals. Therefore, the infection with R. vitalii causes an increase in proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide content. These alterations may be associated with host immune protection against the parasite.
Animals ; Chemistry Techniques, Analytical ; Cytokines/*blood ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dogs ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Nitric Oxide/*blood ; Piroplasmida/*immunology ; Protozoan Infections/*immunology/parasitology/pathology ; Serum/chemistry

Several studies have shown the mechanisms and importance of immune responses against Toxoplasma gondii infection and the notable role of cholinesterases in inflammatory reactions. However, the association between those factors has not yet been investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in blood and lymphocytes and the activity of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in serum of rats experimentally infected with T. gondii during the acute phase of infection. For that, an in vivo study was performed with evaluations of AChE and BChE activities on days 5 and 10 post-infection (PI). The activity of AChE in blood was increased on day 5 PI, while in lymphocytes its activity was enhanced on days 5 and 10 PI (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed between groups regarding to the activity of BChE in serum. A positive (P<0.01) correlation was observed between AChE activity and number of lymphocytes. The role of AChE as an inflammatory marker is well known in different pathologies; thus, our results lead to the hypothesis that AChE has an important role in modulation of early immune responses against T. gondii infection.
Acetylcholinesterase/blood/*metabolism ; Animals ; Butyrylcholinesterase/blood/*metabolism ; Humans ; Lymphocytes/enzymology/parasitology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Toxoplasma/*physiology ; Toxoplasmosis/*enzymology/genetics/parasitology

The aim of this study was to test the susceptibility of mice to Trypanosoma evansi treated with human plasma containing different concentrations of apolipoprotein L-1 (APOL1). For this experiment, a strain of T. evansi and human plasma (plasmas 1, 2, and 3) from 3 adult males clinically healthy were used. In vivo test used 50 mice divided in 5 groups (A to E) with 10 animals in each group. Animals of groups B to E were infected, and then treated with 0.2 ml of human plasma in the following outline: negative control (A), positive control (B), treatment with plasma 1 (C), treatment with plasma 2 (D), and treatment with plasma 3 (E). Mice treated with human plasma showed an increase in longevity of 40.9+/-0.3 (C), 20+/-9.0 (D) and 35.6+/-9.3 (E) days compared to the control group (B) which was 4.3+/-0.5 days. The number of surviving mice and free of the parasite (blood smear and PCR negative) at the end of the experiment was 90%, 0%, and 60% for groups C, D, and E, respectively. The quantification of APOL1 was performed due to the large difference in the treatments that differed in the source plasma. In plasmas 1, 2, and 3 was detected the concentration of 194, 99, and 115 mg/dl of APOL1, respectively. However, we believe that this difference in the treatment efficiency is related to the level of APOL1 in plasmas.
Adult ; Animals ; Apolipoproteins/blood/*therapeutic use ; DNA, Protozoan/genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Lipoproteins, HDL/blood/*therapeutic use ; Male ; Mice ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Trypanocidal Agents/blood/*therapeutic use ; Trypanosoma/drug effects/genetics/*pathogenicity ; Trypanosomiasis/drug therapy/mortality/*parasitology ; Young Adult