Diversity of group A rotavirus genes detected in the Triângulo Mineiro region, Minas Gerais, Brazil

AbstractGroup A rotaviruses are the main causative agent of infantile gastroenteritis. The segmented nature of the viral genome allows reassortment of genome segments, which can generate genetic variants. In this study, we characterized the diversity of the VP7, VP4 (VP8*), VP6, NSP4, and NSP5 genes of the rotaviruses that circulated from 2005 to 2011 in the Triângulo Mineiro (TM) region of Brazil. Samples with genotypes G2 (sublineages IVa-1 and IVa-3), G1 (sublineage I-A), G9 (lineage III), G12 (lineages II and III), G8 (lineage II), G3 (lineage III), P[4] (sublineages IVa and IVb), P[8] (sublineages P[8]-3.6, P[8]-3.3, and P[8]-3.1), I2 (lineage VII), E2 (lineages VI, XII, and X), and H2 (lineage III) were identified. The associations found in the samples were G1, G9, or G12 with P[8]-I1-E1-H1; G2 or G8 with P[4]-I2-E2-H2; G12 with I3-E3-H6; and G3 with P[4]-I2-E3-H3 (previously unreported combination). Reassortment events in G2P[4] strains and an apparent pattern of temporal segregation within the lineages were observed. Five TM samples contained genes that exhibited high nucleotide and amino acid identities with strains of animal origin. The present study includes a period of pre- and post-introduction of rotavirus vaccination in all Brazilian territories, thereby serving as a basis for monitoring changes in the genetic constitution of rotaviruses. The results also contribute to the understanding of the diversity and evolution of rotaviruses in a global context

Analysis of the immunological biomarker profile during acute Zika virus infection reveals the overexpression of CXCL10, a chemokine linked to neuronal damage.

BACKGROUND: Infection with Zika virus (ZIKV) manifests in a broad spectrum of disease ranging from mild illness to severe neurological complications and little is known about Zika immunopathogenesis. OBJECTIVES: To define the immunologic biomarkers that correlate with acute ZIKV infection. METHODS: We characterized the levels of circulating cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors in 54 infected patients of both genders at five different time points after symptom onset using microbeads multiplex immunoassay; comparison to 100 age-matched controls was performed for statistical analysis and data mining. FINDINGS: ZIKV-infected patients present a striking systemic inflammatory response with high levels of pro-inflammatory mediators. Despite the strong inflammatory pattern, IL-1Ra and IL-4 are also induced during the acute infection. Interestingly, the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-13, IL-17, TNF-α, and IFN-γ; chemokines CXCL8, CCL2, CCL5; and the growth factor G-CSF, displayed a bimodal distribution accompanying viremia. While this is the first manuscript to document bimodal distributions of viremia in ZIKV infection, this has been documented in other viral infections, with a primary viremia peak during mild systemic disease and a secondary peak associated with distribution of the virus to organs and tissues. MAIN CONCLUSIONS: Biomarker network analysis demonstrated distinct dynamics in concurrence with the bimodal viremia profiles at different time points during ZIKV infection. Such a robust cytokine and chemokine response has been associated with blood-brain barrier permeability and neuroinvasiveness in other flaviviral infections. High-dimensional data analysis further identified CXCL10, a chemokine involved in foetal neuron apoptosis and Guillain-Barré syndrome, as the most promising biomarker of acute ZIKV infection for potential clinical application

Variações no índice de anomalia de chuva no semiárido

A análise da variabilidade das chuvas no Nordeste brasileiro (NEB) vem se tornando cada vez mais importante, uma vez que, possibilita detectar tendências ou alterações no clima, em escalas locais e regionais. Visto a grande importância da região semiárida, a previsão e o monitoramento da chuva são sobretudo úteis para inúmeros projetos como: irrigação, abastecimento d’água, culturas agrícolas, além da relevância como elemento transformador socioeconômico. Neste contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar a variabilidade das precipitações anuais, no período de 1975 a 2016 no município de Petrolina-PE. Utilizou-se o Índice de Anomalia de Chuva – IAC, como indicador direto do grau de severidade e duração dos períodos secos e chuvosos. Dos 42 anos analisados, 06 anos apresentaram precipitação abaixo do desvio médio, enquanto 08 apresentaram acima do desvio padrão da série. Os resultados apontam uma tendência da diminuição do regime pluviométrico nos últimos setes anos, observado pelo IAC. Os anos considerados anômalos demostraram um bom grau de relação com eventos positivos (El Niño) e negativo (La Niña) do fenômeno ENOS

Trypanosoma cruzi discrete typing unit TcIV implicated in a case of acute Chagas disease in a domiciliated dog in the western Amazon

Chagas disease is caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. Seven lineages have been identified based on different molecular markers, namely TcI, TcII, TcIII, TcIV, TcV, TcVI, and TcBat. Dogs play the role of epidemiological sentinels being domestic reservoirs of T. cruzi. The aim of the current study was to report the first case of CD in a domestic dog in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, infected with T. cruzi DTU TcIV. We hope our report encourages veterinarians and surveillance professionals to a take a deeper look at T. cruzi infection in domestic animals.publishersversionpublishe

CARDIOPATIA FETAL: AS MALFORMAÇÕES CARDÍACAS UMA REVISÃO DE LITERATURA

Fetal heart disease, a condition that affects the cardiovascular development of the fetus, can result in significant intrauterine functional impairment. The complexity of these conditions can affect not only the cardiovascular system, but also influence fetal growth and the function of other organs. Therefore, the importance of continuous monitoring during pregnancy aims to early detect possible changes in blood flow and oxygenation in the fetus. Furthermore, it highlights the need for a multidisciplinary approach, involving pediatric cardiologists, obstetricians, and neonatologists, to optimize neonatal management and outcomes. Objectives: Analyze the types of heart disease and their implications for the cardiovascular system, highlighting the different types of congenital malformations in the cardiovascular system. Methodology: This is descriptive research of the narrative literature review type, which sought to highlight the types of heart diseases and their congenital malformations in the intrauterine fetus and presenting the fetal diagnosis through fetal echocardiography. The research was carried out through online access to the National Library of Medicine (PubMed MEDLINE), Scientific Electronic Library Online (Scielo), Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS) databases in December 2023. Results and Discussions: Congenital heart disease affects around 40% of fetuses, being one of the most common malformations and considered to have the highest mortality rate. For the diagnosis used for this pathology, fetal echocardiography plays a fundamental role in the early detection of these malformations, allowing a detailed evaluation of the cardiac anatomy. Among the frequent heart diseases identified are intraventricular communication, atrioventricular septal defect, interatrial communication and patent ductus arteriosus. Each of these conditions has distinct characteristics, from the different affected regions to abnormalities in the valve structures. Conclusion:  Understanding fetal heart disease and its impact on intrauterine functional impairment is a field in constant evolution. Collaboration between researchers and health professionals is essential for improving therapeutic measures and surgical interventions carried out when necessary, improving results for both the fetus and the mother, thus reducing the risk of fetal deathA cardiopatia fetal, uma condição que afeta o desenvolvimento cardiovascular do feto, pode resultar em um significativo comprometimento funcional intrauterino. A complexidade dessas condições pode afetar não apenas o sistema cardiovascular, mas também influenciar o crescimento fetal e a função de outros órgãos. Dessa forma, a importância do monitoramento contínuo durante a gestação, visa detectar precocemente possíveis alterações no fluxo sanguíneo e na oxigenação no feto. Além disso, ressalta a necessidade de uma abordagem multidisciplinar, envolvendo cardiologistas pediátricos, obstetras, e neonatologistas, para otimizar o manejo e os resultados neonatais. Objetivos: Analisar os tipos de cardiopatias e suas implicações no sistema cardiovascular, ressaltando os diferentes tipos das malformações congênitas no sistema cardiovascular. Metodologia: Trata-se de uma pesquisa descritiva do tipo revisão narrativa da literatura, que buscou evidenciar os tipos de cardiopatias e suas malformações congênitas no feto intraútero e apresentando o diagnóstico fetal por meio do ecocardiograma fetal.  A pesquisa foi realizada através do acesso online nas bases de dados National Library of Medicine (PubMed MEDLINE), Scientific Electronic Library Online (Scielo), Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS) no mês de dezembro de 2023.  Resultados e Discussões: A cardiopatia congênita atinge cerca de 40% dos fetos, sendo uma das malformações de mais frequentes e considerada de maior mortalidade. Para o diagnóstico utilizado para essa patologia, a ecocardiografia fetal desempenha um papel fundamental na detecção precoce dessas malformações, permitido uma avaliação detalhada da anatomia cardíaca. Entre as cardiopatias frequentes identificadas estão a comunicação intraventricular, o defeito do septo atrioventricular, a comunicação interatrial e a persistência do canal arterial.  Cada uma dessas condições apresenta características distintas, desde as diferentes regiões acometidas até as anormalidades nas estruturas das válvulas. Conclusão: A compreensão da cardiopatia fetal e seu impacto do comprometimento funcional intrauterino é um campo em contante evolução. A colaboração entre pesquisadores e profissionais da saúde é essencial para o aprimoramento das medidas terapêuticas e intervenções cirúrgicas realizadas quando necessário, melhorando os resultados tanto para o feto quanto para a mãe, dessa forma diminuindo o risco de morte fetal

Identification of primary drug resistance to rifampin in mycobacterium leprae strains from leprosy patients in Amazonas State, Brazil

The aim of this study was to identify polymorphisms in the folp1, gyrA, and rpoB genes in leprosy patients treated in Amazonas State, Brazil. Among 197 slit-skin smear samples from untreated or relapsed patients, we found three cases of primary resistance to rifampin and one confirmed case of multidrug resistance. Copyright © 2014, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved

Acute Chagas disease associated with ingestion of contaminated food in Brazilian western Amazon

Funding Information: We would like to thank the following institutions for all the support they accorded: Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Amazonas Health Surveillance Foundation Dr. Rosimary Costa Pinto (FVS‐RCP/AM), the Municipal Health Departments of the affected by the outbreaks and Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Amazonas for their financial support in acquiring materials for the molecular detection of the parasite. We would also like to thank the public health surveillance teams and the patients who agreed to participate in this study. Publisher Copyright: © 2023 Belgian Society of Tropical Medicine and the Prince Leopold Institute of Tropical Medicine.Objective: To describe clinical, epidemiological and management information on cases of acute Chagas disease (ACD) by oral transmission in the state of Amazonas in western Amazon. Methods: Manual and electronic medical records of patients diagnosed with ACD at the Fundação de Medicina Tropical Doutor Heitor Vieira Dourado (FMT-HVD) were included. Results: There were 147 cases of acute CD registered from 10 outbreaks that occurred in the state of Amazonas between 2004 and 2022. The transmission pathway was through oral route, with probable contaminated palm fruit juice (açaí and/or papatuá), and involved people from the same family, friends or neighbours. Of 147 identified cases, 87 (59%) were males; cases were aged 10 months to 82 years. The most common symptom was the febrile syndrome (123/147; 91.8%); cardiac alterations were present in 33/100 (33%), (2/147; 1.4%) had severe ACD with meningoencephalitis, and 12 (8.2%) were asymptomatic. Most cases were diagnosed through thick blood smear (132/147; 89.8%), a few (14/147; 9.5%) were diagnosed by serology and (1/147; 0.7%) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and blood culture. In all these outbreaks, 74.1% of the patients were analysed by PCR, and Trypanosoma cruzi TcIV was detected in all of them. No deaths were recorded. The incidence of these foci coincided with the fruit harvest period in the state of Amazonas. Conclusion: The occurrence of ACD outbreaks in the Amazon affected individuals of both sexes, young adults, living in rural and peri-urban areas and related to the consumption of regional foods. Early diagnosis is an important factor in surveillance. There was a low frequency of cardiac alterations. Continuous follow-up of most patients was not carried out due to difficulty in getting to specialised centres; therefore, little is known about post-treatment.publishersversioninpres

Analysis of the immunological biomarker profile during acute zika virus infection reveals the overexpression of CXCL10, a chemokine linked to neuronal damage

BACKGROUND Infection with Zika virus (ZIKV) manifests in a broad spectrum of disease ranging from mild illness to severe neurological complications and little is known about Zika immunopathogenesis. OBJECTIVES To define the immunologic biomarkers that correlate with acute ZIKV infection. METHODS We characterized the levels of circulating cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors in 54 infected patients of both genders at five different time points after symptom onset using microbeads multiplex immunoassay; comparison to 100 age-matched controls was performed for statistical analysis and data mining. FINDINGS ZIKV-infected patients present a striking systemic inflammatory response with high levels of pro-inflammatory mediators. Despite the strong inflammatory pattern, IL-1Ra and IL-4 are also induced during the acute infection. Interestingly, the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-13, IL-17, TNF-α, and IFN-γ; chemokines CXCL8, CCL2, CCL5; and the growth factor G-CSF, displayed a bimodal distribution accompanying viremia. While this is the first manuscript to document bimodal distributions of viremia in ZIKV infection, this has been documented in other viral infections, with a primary viremia peak during mild systemic disease and a secondary peak associated with distribution of the virus to organs and tissues. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Biomarker network analysis demonstrated distinct dynamics in concurrence with the bimodal viremia profiles at different time points during ZIKV infection. Such a robust cytokine and chemokine response has been associated with blood-brain barrier permeability and neuroinvasiveness in other flaviviral infections. High-dimensional data analysis further identified CXCL10, a chemokine involved in foetal neuron apoptosis and Guillain-Barré syndrome, as the most promising biomarker of acute ZIKV infection for potential clinical application. © 2018, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz. All rights reserved