Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: LUCIANA PEREIRA FREIRE MARTINS

Uma banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : LUCIANA PEREIRA FREIRE MARTINS
DATE: 24/04/2025
TIME: 09:00
LOCAL: Plataforma Teams
TITLE:

PREVALENCE OF CIRCULATING LEISHMANIA DNA IN IMMUNOSUPPRESSED PATIENTS AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH JAKSTAT PATHWAY GENE EXPRESSION.

KEY WORDS:

Leishmaniasis, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Diagnosis.

PAGES: 39
BIG AREA: Ciências Biológicas
AREA: Imunologia
SUMMARY:

Introduction: Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) and endemic in 99 countries. The epidemiology of NTDs is generally related to environmental conditions, where access to adequate sanitation, drinking water, and healthcare is limited. Additionally, immunosuppression can result in a higher risk of Leishmania infection and illness. There are reports in the literature of cases of leishmaniasis in patients immunosuppressed by medication. Objectives: This study aims to track the occurrence of leishmaniasis in immunosuppressed patients treated at the University Hospital of Brasília, considering the profile of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses, as well as the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. Methodology: Immunosuppressed patients treated at HUB were consecutively included. These patients were examined through the collection of demographic data, personal data, physical examinations, and collection of biological samples from peripheral blood. The search for Leishmania in peripheral blood was performed by real-time PCR targeting kDNA. The analysis of gene expressions of various cytokines, including the JAK-STAT pathway in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), was conducted and compared between patients with circulating Leishmania DNA in their peripheral blood and those without this finding. Partial results: A total of 372 patients were clinically and laboratory evaluated. So far, no patient has presented with a confirmed diagnosis of cutaneous or visceral leishmaniasis. However, 35 of these patients had fragments of Leishmania kDNA in their total blood (9.41%). The evaluation of gene expression in PBMCs from peripheral blood showed a suppression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin (IL)- 12 levels. Discussion: The findings show that the occurrence of active leishmaniasis in immunosuppressed patients is still rare and is likely dependent on environmental exposure. Patients with circulating Leishmania kDNA in their blood showed apparent suppression of important cytokine levels for granuloma formation, such as TNF.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Externa à Instituição - ADA AMÁLIA AYALA URDAPILLETA - SESDF
Externa à Instituição - MARIANA MAGALHÃES NÓBREGA - IFG
Externo ao Programa - ***.501.465-** - GILBERTO SANTOS MORAIS JUNIOR - UnB
Interna - 2492352 - IZABELA MARQUES DOURADO BASTOS CHARNEAU