Vaccinia Virus among Domestic Dogs and Wild Coatis, Brazil, 2013-2015.

To determine their potential role as a source of human infection, we tested domestic dogs (urban) and wild coatis (wild) in Brazil for vaccinia virus. Our findings of positive neutralizing antibodies and quantitative PCR results for 35/184 dogs and 13/90 coatis highlight a potential public health risk.

Screening for Zika virus RNA in sera of suspected cases: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Zika virus (ZIKV) became a global human health concern owing to its rapid spread worldwide and its association with congenital and neurological disorders. The current epidemiological profile of arboviruses in Brazil is characterized by widespread co-circulation of Dengue virus, Chikungunya virus, and ZIKV throughout the country. These viruses cause acute diseases frequently with overlapping symptoms, which could result in an inaccurate diagnosis based solely on clinical and epidemiological grounds. Here we conducted a screening for ZIKV RNA in serum samples from patients across Brazil with suspected ZIKV infection. METHODS: Using RT-qPCR, we investigated ZIKV RNA in 3001 serum samples. Samples were passively acquired through a private laboratory network, between December 2015 and August 2016, from 27 Brazilian Federative Units. We performed descriptive statistics on demographic variables including sex, age, and geographic location. RESULTS: ZIKV was detected in 11.4% (95%CI = 10.3-12.6%) of the sera. ZIKV RNA was detected in sera collected throughout the country, but during the analyzed period, RNA was more frequently detected in samples from the Southeast, Midwest, and North regions (3.9 to 5.8 times higher) when compared to the Northeast and South regions. CONCLUSIONS: These data reinforce the importance of laboratory diagnosis, surveillance systems, and further epidemiological studies to understand the dynamics of outbreaks and diseases associated with ZIKV and other arboviruses.

Detection of Vaccinia Virus in Urban Domestic Cats, Brazil.

We investigated possible vaccinia virus (VACV) in urban house cats in Brazil. Serum samples from 6 cats were positive for VACV by PCR, indicating likely VACV circulation among house cats in urban areas of Brazil. This finding highlights the importance of epidemiologic surveillance to avoid outbreaks among urban human populations.

Absence of vaccinia virus detection in a remote region of the Northern Amazon forests, 2005-2015.

Vaccinia virus (VACV) circulates in Brazil and other South America countries and is responsible for a zoonotic disease that usually affects dairy cattle and humans, causing economic losses and impacting animal and human health. Furthermore, it has been detected in wild areas in the Brazilian Amazon. To better understand the natural history of VACV, we investigated its circulation in wildlife from French Guiana, a remote region in the Northern Amazon forest. ELISA and plaque reduction neutralization tests were performed to detect anti-orthopoxvirus antibodies. Real-time and standard PCR targeting C11R, A56R and A26L were applied to detect VACV DNA in serum, saliva and tissue samples. No evidence of VACV infection was found in any of the samples tested. These findings provide additional information on the VACV epidemiological puzzle. The virus could nevertheless be circulating at low levels that were not detected in areas where no humans or cattle are present.

Seroprevalence of Orthopoxvirus in rural Brazil: insights into anti-OPV immunity status and its implications for emergent zoonotic OPV.

BACKGROUND: Bovine vaccinia (BV) is a zoonosis caused by Vaccinia virus, a virus from Orthopoxvirus genus (OPV) that affects mainly cattle herds and humans in rural areas in Brazil. Because most studies have focused on outbreaks situations, data on BV epidemiology is limited. A cross sectional study in Brazilian rural areas during 2012-2013 was conducted to determine the neutralizing antibodies seroprevalence and risk factors for BV. METHODS: A structured questionnaire was applied to elicit demographics data and farming practices considered risk factors for BV exposure. Neutralizing anti-OPV antibodies were investigated using plaque reduction neutralization test. The neutralizing antibodies prevalence rates were calculated and the risk factor analysis was performed using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Two hundred and forty participants were enrolled in this study with a prevalence of neutralizing antibodies of 30.8 % (95 % confidence interval [CI], 25.3-36.9). In multivariate analysis, age > 35 years (Odds Ratio [OR] = 18.2; CI 95 % = 7.7 - 43.2) and previous outbreak in property (OR = 3.9; C I95 % = 1.2 - 12.6) were independently associated with anti-OPV neutralizing antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, anti-OPV protective immunity (neutralizing antibody titers) was assessed in an endemic BV Brazilian rural area. Our findings indicate that epidemiological surveillance is required and should be applied by public health authorities to create interventions and/or prevention strategies to avoid viral spread causing future outbreaks among individuals who are under risk of infection.

Evaluating anti-Orthopoxvirus antibodies in individuals from Brazilian rural areas prior to the bovine vaccinia era.

Vaccinia virus naturally circulates in Brazil and is the causative agent of a zoonotic disease known as bovine vaccinia (BV). We retrospectively evaluated two populations from the Amazon and Southeast Regions. BV outbreaks had not been reported in these regions before sample collection. Neutralising antibodies were found in 13 individuals (n = 132) with titres ranging from 100 ≥ 6,400 neutralising units/mL. Univariate analysis identified age and vaccination as statistically significant risk factors in individuals from the Southeast Region. The absence of detectable antibodies in vaccinated individuals raises questions about the protection of smallpox vaccine years after vaccination and reinforces the need for surveillance of Orthopoxvirus in Brazilian populations without evidence of previous outbreaks.

Absence of yellow fever virus circulation in wildlife rodents from Brazil.

Yellow fever (YF), caused by the yellow fever virus (YFV), is an emerging viral zoonosis that affects humans and non-human primates (NHP). In South America, YF is naturally maintained through enzootic/sylvatic cycles involving NHPs and mosquitoes (Haemagogus and Sabethes). In this study, we retrospectively analyzed wildlife rodents to better understand their role in a potential alternative YF sylvatic cycle. The plaque reduction neutralization test was performed to detect anti-YFV antibodies, while qPCR targeting the NS5 region of flaviviruses and standard PCR targeting the CprM region were applied to detect YFV RNA in tissue and blood samples. YFV was not evidenced in any of the tested samples. These findings provide additional information regarding sylvatic YFV and emphasize the importance of YFV surveillance in wild animals as potential reservoirs/hosts given the well-established enzootic cycle in the studied areas, mainly in the Atlantic Forest.

Clinical, epidemiological aspects, and trends of Hepatitis B in Brazil from 2007 to 2018.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a concern for public health due to its high prevalence, high infectivity, morbidity, and mortality worldwide. Brazil presents a low HBV prevalence, but has considerable heterogeneity among its geographic regions. Here, we describe the epidemiological profile of HBV infection in different regions of Brazil during 2007-2018, as well as the historical trends associated with the infection. We conducted an observational, ecological time-series study using secondary data collected from the National Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN). Our findings suggest that HBV infection was more likely to occur in young, sexually active adults. Individuals from Northeast and Midwest regions were more likely to present acute HBV infection, while individuals from South region were more likely to present chronic HBV infection, reinforcing that specific strategies are required for each particular region. Additionally, we observed a general decreasing trend of infection starting in 2014, however there was an increasing trend of infection in men and in individuals over 40 years old. Although we observed a decreasing trend in HBV infection, active surveillance is needed to prevent HBV spread and possible epidemics, as well as encouraging the vaccination of adults, especially young adult males. Our findings can inform the conduct of large-scale observational studies to evaluate clinical, economical, and social impacts of HBV infections, leading to improved social policies. Finally, our results highlight the need to improve data quality and completeness of epidemiological data, minimizing eventual errors that can make prevention and control strategies difficult.

The impact of viral infections on childhood central nervous system infections.

BACKGROUND: Viruses are a common cause of central nervous system (CNS) infections. However, studies of CNS viral pathogens in pediatric patients are poorly explored because viral infections are often erroneously diagnosed as bacterial infections. METHODS: 299 CNS samples were collected from pediatric patients aged from one month to 14 years old. A total of 140 viral meningitis cases that met the inclusion criteria were included in this study. In 38 of the 140 cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) samples (27.1%), conventional and real-time PCR were used to identify viruses commonly associated with CNS infections. RESULTS: Among them, 23 patients (16.5%) tested positive for flaviviruses such as dengue, Zika, and yellow fever virus, eight patients (5.7%) were positive for enterovirus (ENTV), and six patients (4.3%) were positive for human herpesvirus 1/2. We also identified one case of dengue virus and ENTV co-infection. CONCLUSIONS: A correlation between clinical symptoms and laboratory findings for the viruses was identified. Our study also reinforces the importance of including viruses in the laboratory diagnosis of CNS infections especially flaviviruses, which assists public health authorities in implementing early interventions.

Molecular detection and phylogeny of bovine viral diarrhea virus 1 among cattle herds from Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest regions, Brazil.

We examined the circulating BVDV species and genotypes among cattle herds from Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest regions in Brazil. A total of 77 animals tested positive through standard PCR. Phylogenetic analyses revealed the presence of BVDV-1a, highlighting the need for better surveillance strategies to prevent BVDV spread in the country.

Infectious diseases during pregnancy in Brazil: seroprevalence and risk factors.

INTRODUCTION: Vertically transmitted infections are caused by a diversity of pathogenic microorganisms. Pregnant women are routinely screened to evaluate the risks and reduce the burden of disorders in their unborn children. We assessed the prevalence and possible risk factors for Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Rubella, Human T lymphotropic virus (HTLV), and Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women from the South region of Bahia State, Brazil. METHODOLOGY: Serum samples were obtained from 726 pregnant women aged between 13 and 44 years, with a median age of 24 years. ELISA assays were used to detect CMV, Rubella, HTLV and T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies. RESULTS: The prevalence rates of IgG antibodies found were 95.2% for CMV, 97.0% for Rubella, and 72.3% for T. gondii. Furthermore, the prevalence of HTLV-1/2 was 1.2%. IgM antibodies were reactive only for CMV (0.8%) and T. gondii (3.7%). Variables independently associated with the detection of anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were white self-reported race/ethnicity (Odds Ratio [OR] 2.26, 95% CI 1.26-4.06, P = 0.006), wage income (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.35-0.88, P = 0.013), and history of previous pregnancy (OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.02-2.50, P = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the importance of monitoring for infectious diseases during pregnancy and initiation of early interventions to reduce the burden of fetal losses and other important infant sequelae attributable to congenital infections.

Silent Orthohantavirus Circulation Among Humans and Small Mammals from Central Minas Gerais, Brazil.

New World orthohantaviruses are emerging RNA viruses that cause hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS). These viruses are a burden to public health around the world with a lethality rate of around 60%. In South America, rodents of Sigmodontinae subfamily are the main reservoirs of orthohantaviruses. We described a serosurvey for orthohantaviruses circulation in an apparently healthy human population and small mammals from rural areas in Central Minas Gerais State, Brazil. A total of 240 individuals and 50 small mammals (26 rodents belonging to 10 different species and 24 marsupials from 4 different species) were sampled during 2012-2013. The seroprevalence rates of IgG/IgM antibodies in humans were 7.1 and 1.6%, respectively. Only one rodent, an Oligoryzomys nigripes captured in peridomestic area, tested positive for IgG antibodies and viral RNA. Our findings suggest a silent circulation of orthohantaviruses in a region of intensive agriculture production. The detection of seropositive humans in an area with a lack of previous HCPS reports highlights potential oligosymptomatic cases and the need for surveillance strategies that could reduce the risk of future outbreaks.

Cross-sectional study involving healthcare professionals in a Vaccinia virus endemic area.

Orthopoxviruses (OPV) are emerging viruses with great importance in human and veterinary medicine, such as Vaccinia virus (VACV), which causes outbreaks of bovine vaccinia (BV) in South America. The clinical aspects of BV are similar to other vesicular infections, complicating the clinical diagnosis. This cross-sectional study evaluated the knowledge of Healthcare Professionals about BV and revealed their unpreparedness about BV in a VACV hyper-endemic area in Brazil, highlighting the public health issues associated with VACV infections. This study presents an opportunity to discuss the importance of vaccination for healthcare professionals who work in areas of VACV circulation and brings an educational measure on VACV infections for health professionals around the world.

Vaccinia Virus Natural Infections in Brazil: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

The orthopoxviruses (OPV) comprise several emerging viruses with great importance to human and veterinary medicine, including vaccinia virus (VACV), which causes outbreaks of bovine vaccinia (BV) in South America. Historically, VACV is the most comprehensively studied virus, however, its origin and natural hosts remain unknown. VACV was the primary component of the smallpox vaccine, largely used during the smallpox eradication campaign. After smallpox was declared eradicated, the vaccination that conferred immunity to OPV was discontinued, favoring a new contingent of susceptible individuals to OPV. VACV infections occur naturally after direct contact with infected dairy cattle, in recently vaccinated individuals, or through alternative routes of exposure. In Brazil, VACV outbreaks are frequently reported in rural areas, affecting mainly farm animals and humans. Recent studies have shown the role of wildlife in the VACV transmission chain, exploring the role of wild rodents as reservoirs that facilitate VACV spread throughout rural areas. Furthermore, VACV circulation in urban environments and the significance of this with respect to public health, have also been explored. In this review, we discuss the history, epidemiological, ecological and clinical aspects of natural VACV infections in Brazil, also highlighting alternative routes of VACV transmission, the factors involved in susceptibility to infection, and the natural history of the disease in humans and animals, and the potential for dissemination to urban environments.

Could hantavirus circulation superpose areas of highly endemic vaccinia virus outbreaks? A retrospective seroepidemiological study in State of Minas Gerais.

INTRODUCTION: Hantavirus infections have been described in several regions in Brazil through seroepidemiological studies. Usually, populations are associated with rural and wild environment mainly due to close contact to species of Sigmodontinae rodents, considered hantavirus reservoirs. METHODS: A retrospective serosurvey was conducted to access the hantavirus seroprevalence in people living in regions affected by bovine vaccinia outbreaks. RESULTS: Sera from 53 patients were analyzed and none of them presented anti-hantavirus IgG antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents an opportunity to analyze seronegativity despite close and recurrent contact with known hantavirus reservoirs. Aspects of hantavirus and bovine vaccinia emergence are also discussed.

Neutralizing antibodies associated with exposure factors to Orthopoxvirus in laboratory workers.

Extensive use of Vaccinia virus (VACV) in research has led to associated accidental human exposure in laboratories worldwide. In spite of the social and economic relevance of Bovine Vaccinia outbreaks in Brazil, national data concerning laboratory workers handling these infectious agents are relatively scarce. Therefore, a serological survey was conducted in a Brazilian laboratory to evaluate staff exposure to orthopoxviruses (OPVs). Information concerning direct work with OPVs, vaccination status and laboratory accidents was collected and correlated to serology results. This study presents an opportunity for discussion of routine procedures involving OPVs in laboratories and their intrinsic risks. Aspects of the live attenuated smallpox vaccine are also discussed.

Could hantavirus circulation superpose areas of highly endemic vaccinia virus outbreaks? A retrospective seroepidemiological study in State of Minas Gerais

Introdução: Infecções por hantavírus foram descritas em diversas regiões do Brasil por meio de estudos soroepidemiológicos. Geralmente, as populações estão associadas a ambientes rurais e silvestres, principalmente devido ao contato próximo com espécies de roedores Sigmodontinae, considerados reservatórios de hantavírus. Métodos: Um inquérito sorológico retrospectivo foi conduzido para acessar a soroprevalência de hantavírus em pessoas que vivem em regiões afetadas por surtos de vacínia bovina. Resultados: Soros de 53 pacientes foram analisados ​​e nenhum deles apresentou anticorpos IgG anti-hantavírus. Conclusões: Este estudo apresenta uma oportunidade para analisar a soronegatividade apesar do contato próximo e recorrente com reservatórios de hantavírus conhecidos. Aspectos do hantavírus e da emergência de vacinas bovinas também são discutidos.