Biological Characteristics and Patterns of Codon Usage Evolution for the African Genotype Zika Virus

We investigated temporal trends of codon usage changes for different host species to determine their importance in Zika virus (ZIKV) evolution. Viral spillover resulting from the potential of codon adaptation to host genome was also assessed for the African genotype ZIKV in comparison to the Asian genotype. To improve our understanding on its zoonotic maintenance, we evaluated in vitro the biological properties of the African genotype ZIKV in vertebrate and mosquito cell lines. Analyses were performed in comparison to Yellow fever virus (YFV). Despite significantly lower codon adaptation index trends than YFV, ZIKV showed evident codon adaptation to vertebrate hosts, particularly for the green African monkey Chlorocebus aethiops. PCA and CAI analyses at the individual ZIKV gene level for both human and Aedes aegypti indicated a clear distinction between the two genotypes. African ZIKV isolates showed higher virulence in mosquito cells than in vertebrate cells. Their higher replication in mosquito cells than African YFV confirmed the role of mosquitoes in the natural maintenance of the African genotype ZIKV. An analysis of individual strain growth characteristics indicated that the widely used reference strain MR766 replicates poorly in comparison to African ZIKV isolates. The recombinant African Zika virus strain ArD128000*E/NS5 may be a good model to include in studies on the mechanism of host tropism, as it cannot replicate in the tested vertebrate cell line

Association of Malaria Infection During Pregnancy With Head Circumference of Newborns in the Brazilian Amazon.

Importance: Malaria during pregnancy is associated with adverse events for the fetus and newborn, but the association of malaria during pregnancy with the head circumference of the newborn is unclear. Objective: To investigate the association of malaria during pregnancy with fetal head growth. Design, Setting, and Participants: Two cohort studies were conducted at the general maternity hospital of Cruzeiro do Sul (Acre, Brazil) in the Amazonian region. One cohort study prospectively enrolled noninfected and malaria-infected pregnant women who were followed up until delivery, between January 2013 and April 2015. The other cohort study was assembled retrospectively using clinical and malaria data from all deliveries that occurred between January 2012 and December 2013. Data analyses were conducted from January to August 2017 and revised in November 2018. Clinical data from pregnant women and anthropometric measures of their newborns were evaluated. A total of 600 pregnant women were enrolled through volunteer sampling (prospective cohort study), and 4697 pregnant women were selected by population-based sampling (retrospective cohort study). After application of exclusion criteria, data from 251 (prospective cohort study) and 232 (retrospective cohort study) malaria-infected and 158 (prospective cohort study) and 3650 (retrospective cohort study) noninfected women were evaluated. Exposure: Malaria during pregnancy. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point was the incidence of altered head circumference in newborns delivered from malaria-infected mothers compared with that from noninfected mothers. Secondary end points included measures of placental pathology relative to newborn head circumference. Results: In total, 4291 maternal-child pairs were analyzed. Among 409 newborns in the prospective cohort study, the mothers of 251 newborns had malaria during pregnancy, infected with Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium falciparum, or both. Among 3882 newborns in the retrospective cohort study, 232 were born from mothers that had malaria during pregnancy. The prevalence of newborns with a small head (19 [30.7%] in the prospective cohort study and 30 [36.6%] in the retrospective cohort study) and the prevalence of microcephaly among newborns (5 [8.1%] in the prospective cohort study and 6 [7.3%] in the retrospective cohort study) were higher among newborns from women infected with P falciparum during pregnancy. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that P falciparum infection during pregnancy represented a significant risk factor for the occurrence of small head circumference in newborns (prospective cohort study: odds ratio, 3.15; 95% CI, 1.52-6.53; P = .002; retrospective cohort study: odds ratio, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.21-3.04; P = .006). Placental pathologic findings corroborated this association, with more syncytial nuclear aggregates and inflammatory infiltrates occurring in placentas of newborns born with decreased head circumference. Conclusions and Relevance: This study indicates that falciparum malaria during pregnancy is associated with decreased head circumference in newborns, which is in turn associated with evidence of placental malaria

Phylogenetic characterization of isolates of dengue virus in Goiânia, Goiás

Submitted by Luciana Ferreira ([email protected]) on 2016-01-29T10:59:58Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Marielton dos Passos Cunha - 2015.pdf: 3794305 bytes, checksum: 63dd946c15b0a01f4a247e2bd60fa1e2 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira ([email protected]) on 2016-01-29T11:01:41Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Marielton dos Passos Cunha - 2015.pdf: 3794305 bytes, checksum: 63dd946c15b0a01f4a247e2bd60fa1e2 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2016-01-29T11:01:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Marielton dos Passos Cunha - 2015.pdf: 3794305 bytes, checksum: 63dd946c15b0a01f4a247e2bd60fa1e2 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-04-17Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Goiás - FAPEGDengue viruses (DENV) serotypes 1, 2, 3, and 4 have been causing yearly outbreaks in Brazil. Nevertheless, the population structure of the viruses transmitted in Goiás state is not well understood. In this study, we investigated the phylogenetic pattern of DENV samples identified in Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil during the 2012/2013 epidemic. Therefore, the entire region of the gene of the envelope (E) protein (1485bp) of 16 DENV-1 samples as well as partial region of this gene (363bp) of seven DENV-4 samples were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis showed that DENV-1 belongs to the genotype V and presents itself divided into two clades, suggesting co-circulation of two distinct lineages in this region. Still, the molecular analyzes indicated a significant change in the amino acid level E348 position. For DENV-4, the sequences were segregate in a monophyletic group and are classified as genotype II American subclade. The molecular and phylogenetic analysis showed that the region suffered multiple introductions by dengue virus. This is the first report of co-circulation of two lineages of DENV-1, and the circulation of DENV-4 in Goiás state.Os vírus dengue (DENV) sorotipos 1, 2, 3 e 4 tem causado surtos anuais no Brasil. No entanto, a estrutura populacional dos vírus transmitidos em Goiás não é bem compreendida. Neste estudo, investigamos o padrão filogenético de amostras do DENV identificadas em Goiânia, Goiás, Brasil, durante a epidemia de 2012/2013. Para isso, a região completa do gene codificante da proteína do envelope (E) (1485pb) de 16 amostras DENV-1 assim como a região parcial deste gene (363pb) de sete amostras DENV-4, foram sequenciadas. A análise filogenética mostrou que o DENV-1 pertence ao genótipo V e apresenta-se dividido em dois clados, sugerindo a cocirculação de duas linhagens distintas na região. Ainda, as análises moleculares indicaram uma alteração significativa na posição do aminoácido E348. Para DENV-4, as sequências segregaram em um grupo monofilético, sendo classificadas como genótipo II subclado americano. As análises moleculares e filogenéticas indicaram que a região sofreu múltiplas introduções pelo DENV. Este é o primeiro relato de cocirculação de duas linhagens de DENV-1, assim como circulação do DENV-4 no estado de Goiás

Análise do conhecimento sobre dsts/aids entre adolescentes em goiânia, goiásdoi

A adolescência é um período de mudanças, com transformações responsáveis pelo início da vida social e sexual. A sexualidade constitui uma das dimensões do ser humano em diversos aspectos, sobretudo o reprodutivo e emocional. Neste sentido, o presente estudo objetivou analisar conhecimentos, atitudes e práticas sexuais associadas às DSTs / AIDS entre adolescentes de Goiânia, Goiás. De 241 indivíduos, 70,9% eram mulheres. A maioria dos participantes da pesquisa demonstraram possuir conhecimento sobre as vias de transmissão sexual, parenteral e vertical e, em geral, os adolescentes apresentaram ter um bom conhecimento sobre métodos de prevenção frente às DSTs. No entanto, um conhecimento inadequado sobre a biologia do agente etiológico da AIDS foi observado em 8,7% da população de estudo. Os resultados ressaltam a importância de campanhas de educação conscientização sobre as DSTs, principalmente no ambiente escolar, que têm se apresentado como eficazes entre os jovens, que estão cada vez mais informados sobre o controle e prevenção de DSTs

ANÁLISE DO CONHECIMENTO SOBRE DSTs/AIDS ENTRE ADOLESCENTES EM GOIÂNIA, GOIÁSDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5892/ruvrd.v14i2.2856

A adolescência é um período de mudanças, com transformações responsáveis pelo início da vida social e sexual. A sexualidade constitui uma das dimensões do ser humano em diversos aspectos, sobretudo o reprodutivo e emocional. Neste sentido, o presente estudo objetivou analisar conhecimentos, atitudes e práticas sexuais associadas às DSTs / AIDS entre adolescentes de Goiânia, Goiás. De 241 indivíduos, 70,9% eram mulheres. A maioria dos participantes da pesquisa demonstraram possuir conhecimento sobre as vias de transmissão sexual, parenteral e vertical e, em geral, os adolescentes apresentaram ter um bom conhecimento sobre métodos de prevenção frente às DSTs. No entanto, um conhecimento inadequado sobre a biologia do agente etiológico da AIDS foi observado em 8,7% da população de estudo. Os resultados ressaltam a importância de campanhas de educação conscientização sobre as DSTs, principalmente no ambiente escolar, que têm se apresentado como eficazes entre os jovens, que estão cada vez mais informados sobre o controle e prevenção de DSTs

Chikungunya Virus E2 Structural Protein B-Cell Epitopes Analysis

The Togaviridae family comprises a large and diverse group of viruses responsible for recurrent outbreaks in humans. Within this family, the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an important Alphavirus in terms of morbidity, mortality, and economic impact on humans in different regions of the world. The objective of this study was to perform an IgG epitope recognition of the CHIKV’s structural proteins E2 and E3 using linear synthetic peptides recognized by serum from patients in the convalescence phase of infection. The serum samples used were collected in the state of Sergipe, Brazil in 2016. Based on the results obtained using immunoinformatic predictions, synthetic B-cell peptides corresponding to the epitopes of structural proteins E2 and E3 of the CHIKV were analyzed by the indirect peptide ELISA technique. Protein E2 was the main target of the immune response, and three conserved peptides, corresponding to peptides P3 and P4 located at Domain A and P5 at the end of Domain B, were identified. The peptides P4 and P5 were the most reactive and specific among the 11 epitopes analyzed and showed potential for use in serological diagnostic trials and development and/or improvement of the Chikungunya virus diagnosis and vaccine design

Origin and Spread of the Dengue Virus Type 1, Genotype V in Senegal, 2015–2019

Dengue virus (DENV) is the most widespread arthropod-borne virus, with the number and severity of outbreaks increasing worldwide in recent decades. Dengue is caused by genetically distinct serotypes, DENV-1–4. Here, we present data on DENV-1, isolated from patients with dengue fever during an outbreak in Senegal and Mali (Western Africa) in 2015–2019, that were analyzed by sequencing the envelope (E) gene. The emergence and the dynamics of DENV-1 in Western Africa were inferred by using maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods. The DENV-1 grouped into a monophyletic cluster that was closely related to those from Southeast Asia. The virus appears to have been introduced directly into Medina Gounass (Suburb of Dakar), Senegal (location probability = 0.301, posterior = 0.76). The introduction of the virus in Senegal occurred around 2014 (95% HPD = 2012.88–2014.84), and subsequently, the virus moved to regions within Senegal (e.g., Louga and Fatick), causing intense outbreaks in the subsequent years. The virus appears to have been introduced in Mali (a neighboring country) after its introduction in Senegal. In conclusion, we present evidence that the outbreak caused by DENV-1 in urban environments in Senegal and Mali after 2015 was caused by a single viral introduction from Asia

Origin, tempo, and mode of the spread of DENV-4 Genotype IIB across the state of São Paulo, Brazil during the 2012-2013 outbreak

BACKGROUND Dengue virus type 4 (DENV-4) was first reported in Brazil in 1982 and since then no more cases were detected again in Brazil until 2010, when the virus was reintroduced. Over the following years, the virus spread to several Brazilian states and resulted in about 1,400,000 dengue cases, in 2013. The largest number of cases were documented in the Southeast macro-region. OBJECTIVES To determine the phylogeography of DENV-4 Genotype IIB strains isolated during the epidemics in 2012-2013 in São Paulo, Brazil, we aimed to contextualise the contribution of viruses sampled in different localities across the overall movement of DENV-4 in Brazil. METHODS Based on the envelope gene sequences retrieved from GenBank, we employed a Bayesian phylogeographic approach to assess the spatiotemporal dynamics of DENV-4 Genotype IIB in São Paulo, Brazil. FINDINGS The dispersal dynamics of DENV-4 Genotype IIB in Brazil indicated Rio de Janeiro and Mato Grosso states as the most likely routes toward São Paulo before the 2012-2013 outbreak. Likewise, Guarujá and São José do Rio Preto facilitated viral spread and transmission to other localities in the South and Southeast macro-regions in Brazil. CONCLUSIONS The spread pattern of DENV-4 Genotype IIB strains across the country supports two independent introductions of the virus in São Paulo in a short period of time. Furthermore, São Paulo appears to have played a pivotal role in the dissemination of DENV-4 to other locations in Brazil

Hepatitis B virus infection among institutionalized mentally ill patients in Brazil

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES: The main objective was to evaluate HBV infection and occult HBV infection (OBI) cases in mentally ill patients based on serological and molecular profiles. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Serum samples of 333 long-stay mentally ill patients were tested for the prevalence of HBV markers by serological (ELISA) and molecular (PCR) assays. The PCR products were sequenced to determine viral genotypes. RESULTS: It was observed a global prevalence of 12.9% (43/333) for HBV infection markers, considering HBsAg and/or anti-HBc positivity. Fourteen samples tested positive for anti-HBs alone. All samples positive (n= 57) for any HBV serological markers were tested for HBV-DNA and six were positive: HBsAg/anti-HBc (n = 1), anti-HBc/anti-HBs (n = 1), anti-HBs alone (n = 1), and anti-HBc alone (n = 3). The rate of OBI was 9.2% (5/54) from samples that were anti-HBc and/or anti-HBs positive. All sequenced samples were characterized as genotype A. CONCLUSION: The high rate of HBV infections found in this study suggests the possibility of HBV transmission due to risk factors displayed by some patients, and highlights the importance of vaccination of susceptible patients and the staff of that institution

Ultrasound-guided minimally invasive autopsy as a tool for rapid post-mortem diagnosis in the 2018 Sao Paulo yellow fever epidemic: Correlation with conventional autopsy.

BackgroundNew strategies for collecting post-mortem tissue are necessary, particularly in areas with emerging infections. Minimally invasive autopsy (MIA) has been proposed as an alternative to conventional autopsy (CA), with promising results. Previous studies using MIA addressed the cause of death in adults and children in developing countries. However, none of these studies was conducted in areas with an undergoing infectious disease epidemic. We have recently experienced an epidemic of yellow fever (YF) in Brazil. Aiming to provide new information on low-cost post-mortem techniques that could be applied in regions at risk for infectious outbreaks, we tested the efficacy of ultrasound-guided MIA (MIA-US) in the diagnosis of patients who died during the epidemic.Methodology/principal findingsIn this observational study, we performed MIA-US in 20 patients with suspected or confirmed YF and compared the results with those obtained in subsequent CAs. Ultrasound-guided biopsies were used for tissue sampling of liver, kidneys, lungs, spleen, and heart. Liver samples from MIA-US and CA were submitted for RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry for detection of YF virus antigen. Of the 20 patients, 17 had YF diagnosis confirmed after autopsy by histopathological and molecular analysis. There was 100% agreement between MIA-US and CA in determining the cause of death (panlobular hepatitis with hepatic failure) and main disease (yellow fever). Further, MIA-US obtained samples with good quality for molecular studies and for the assessment of the systemic involvement of the disease. Main extrahepatic findings were pulmonary hemorrhage, pneumonia, acute tubular necrosis, and glomerulonephritis. One patient was a 24-year-old, 27-week pregnant woman; MIA-US assessed the placenta and provided adequate placental tissue for analysis.ConclusionsMIA-US is a reliable tool for rapid post-mortem diagnosis of yellow fever and can be used as an alternative to conventional autopsy in regions at risk for hemorrhagic fever outbreaks with limited resources to perform complete diagnostic autopsy