Introduction of human gammaherpesvirus 8 genotypes A, B, and C into Brazil from multiple geographic regions.

Variations in the open reading frame (ORF) K1 gene sequence of human gammaherpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) has led to the identification of 6 major genotypic clades (A, B, C, D, E, and F) in specimens isolated from around the world. These clades exhibit clear clustering among individuals in different ethnic groups and from different geographic regions. The human population of Brazil varies greatly in ethnicity because of multiple immigration events from Africa, Europe, Asia, and indigenous communities. However, there is scant information about the HHV-8 genotypes currently circulating in Brazil. Here, we describe HHV-8 genotypic diversity in isolates from Brazilian HIV-infected patients living with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) by analysis of the complete ORF-K1 region. We also identified the most likely geographic origins of these different Brazilian genotypes. We extracted HHV-8 DNA (24 positive samples) from individuals with HIV/KS from the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, amplified the ORF-K1 gene using nested PCR (about 870 base pairs), performed sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, and then calculated the mean genetic distances of Brazilian sequences from sequences in other regions of the world (523 sequences analyzed). Phylogenetic analysis showed that genotypes C, A, and B were present in 45.8 %, 29.2 % and 25 % of the isolates from Brazil, respectively. These isolates grouped into separate clades, rather than a single monophyletic cluster. Mean genetic distance analyses suggested that these genotypes were introduced into the Brazil multiple times from different geographical regions. HHV-8/A isolates appear to be from Ukraine, Russia, and the Tartar ethnic group; HHV-8/B isolates appear to be from Congo and Democratic Republic of the Congo; and HHV-8/C isolates appear to be from Australia, Algeria, England, and French Guiana. These results contribute to a better understanding of the genetic diversity and origins of HHV-8 strains circulating in Brazil, and will provide a foundation for further epidemiological and evolutionary studies of HHV-8.

Imported cases of Chikungunya virus in Iran.

BACKGROUND: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a widespread mosquito-borne virus representing a serious challenge to public health. The largest outbreak in the Middle-East was recorded in 2016-2017 in Pakistan. Sistan and Baluchistan Province of Iran shares a wide border with Pakistan; accordingly, introduction of CHIKV from Pakistan to Iran seems to be probable. The current study is aimed at investigating CHIKV infection in Sistan and Baluchistan Province. METHODS: Between April 2017 and June 2018, a total of 159 serum samples of CHIK suspected cases from 10 cities of Sistan and Baluchistan Province were tested by molecular and serological assays. Samples obtained up to 4 days after onset of illness were tested by real time PCR (n = 8). Samples collected 5-10 days after disease onset were subjected to ELISA, as well as real time PCR tests (n = 72). Samples obtained after the 10th day of disease onset were tested by only ELISA (n = 79). Phylogenetic analysis of real time PCR positive samples was carried out by sequencing of a 1014-bp region of Envelope 1 gene (E1 gene). Chi-square and independent t tests were used to evaluate the association between variables and CHIKV infection. RESULTS: In total, 40 (25.1%) out of 159 samples tested positive either by real time PCR or ELISA tests.Out of 151 samples serologically analyzed, 19 (12.6%) and 28 (18.6%) cases were positive for anti-CHIKV IgM and anti-CHIKV IgG antibodies, respectively. Of 80 samples tested by real time PCR, CHIKV RNA was detected in 11 (13.7%) sera, all of them had recent travel history to Pakistan. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis of 5 samples indicated their similarity with recent isolates of Pakistan outbreak 2016-2017 belonging to Indian Ocean sub-lineage of ECSA genotype. A significant correlation between abroad travel history and CHIKV infection was observed (P < 0.001). The most common clinical symptoms included fever, arthralgia/arthritis, myalgia, headache, and chill. CONCLUSIONS: These results present substantial evidence of CHIKV introduction to Iran from Pakistan and emphasize the need for the enhancement of surveillance system and preventive measures.

Prolonged Zika Virus RNA Detection in Semen of Immunosuppressed Patient.

Zika virus RNA has been detected in semen samples collected <370 days after symptom onset. We report unusual persistence of Zika virus RNA in semen, confirmed by sequencing at 515 days after symptom onset and detectable for >900 days, in a patient with immunosuppression.

Diagnosis of Imported Monkeypox, Israel, 2018.

We report a case of monkeypox in a man who returned from Nigeria to Israel in 2018. Virus was detected in pustule swabs by transmission electron microscopy and PCR and confirmed by immunofluorescence assay, tissue culture, and ELISA. The West Africa monkeypox outbreak calls for increased awareness by public health authorities worldwide.

The first outbreak of measles virus caused by imported genotype D8 in Jiangsu province of China

ABSTRACT Here we reported the outbreak of measles cases caused by the genotype D8 measles virus for the first time in Jiangsu province in China, which was possibly imported by a foreign student from Laos. Throat swab specimens were collected, and used to isolate virus. 634-bp fragment of the N gene and 1854-bp fragment of H gene were amplified by reverse transcription-PCR and sequenced, respectively. Phylogenetic results indicated that they belonged to genotype D8 measles virus. Further epidemiology investigation showed that the adults with D8 measles virus infection did not receive measles vaccine before having measles. In China, almost all D8 genotype MeV only infected those population without receiving measles vaccine immunization. Therefore, it is still necessary to implement the supplement activity of measles immunization target adult with immunity gap.

Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of dengue viruses imported into Taiwan during 2011-2016.

A total of 1,596 laboratory-confirmed imported dengue cases were identified in Taiwan during 2011-2016. Most of the imported cases arrived from Southeast Asia as well as the Indian subcontinent, the Pacific region, Latin America, Australia and Africa. Phylogenetic analyses of the complete envelope protein gene sequences from 784 imported dengue virus (DENV) isolates were conducted, and the results suggest that the DENV-1 genotype I and DENV-2 Cosmopolitan genotype comprise the predominant serotype/genotype of DENV strains circulating in Southeast Asia. The DENV-1 genotype III, DENV-3 genotype III and DENV-4 genotype I and II strains were found to be newly emerging in several Southeast Asian countries. Our results also showed that geographical restrictions of DENV-1 genotype I, DENV-1 genotype III and DENV-2 Cosmopolitan genotype are becoming blurred, indicating the extensive introductions and continuous expansions of DENV strains between nations in Southeast Asia. In this study, we present the geographic distribution and dynamic transmission of DENV strains circulating in Southeast Asian countries. In addition, we demonstrated local dengue epidemics caused by several imported DENV strains in Taiwan during 2011-2016.

Emergence of novel porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome viruses (ORF5 RFLP 1-7-4 viruses) in China.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome viruses (PRRSVs) pose a serious threat to the porcine industry of China, and the importation of novel strain(s) makes it challenging to control these viruses. Several NADC30-like PRRSV outbreaks have occurred in mainland China since 2013. In the current study, we report two novel PRRSVs, designated LNWK96 and LNWK130, which belong to lineage 1 and are closely related to US strains with ORF5 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) 1-7-4. The two viruses had a 100-aa deletion in the nsp2 gene corresponding to positions 328-427 in the VR-2332 strain, which was consistent with most of the ORF5 RFLP 1-7-4 viruses. Recombination analyses indicated that both viruses derived from the recombination of 1-7-4 isolates and ISU30 or NADC30, which were isolated in the United States. Taken together, these results demonstrate the emergence of ORF5 RFLP 1-7-4-like (NADC34-like) PRRSVs in China for the first time.

Introduction of Asian canine parvovirus in Europe through dog importation.

Canine parvovirus (CPV) is an important infectious agent of domestic and wild carnivores, responsible for severe and often fatal haemorrhagic gastroenteritis and leukopenia. This paper reports the genomic characterization of a CPV strain collected from a dog recently imported to Italy from Thailand. The virus was detected in all tissue samples collected. The whole genome encompassing the two open reading frames encoding for non-structural (NS1/NS2) and structural (VP1/VP2) proteins was amplified and sequenced. On the basis of genetic analysis of the VP2 gene, the isolate was characterized as CPV-2c, but it presented genetic signatures typical of Asian strains. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of amino acid changes never observed in European CPV-2c strains (NS1: Ile60Val, Tyr544Phe, Glu545Val, Leu630Pro; VP2: Ala5Gly, Phe267Tyr, Tyr324Ile, Gln370Arg). By phylogenetic analysis of full-length VP2 gene, the analysed strain clustered together with Asian viruses. Therefore, a possible introduction of the virus from Asia through the imported dog was suggested, thus confirming the important role of movement of dogs in the global spread of viruses. In addition, full-length genome analysis could help better trace the spread of canine viruses through different continents.

Imported case of Dengue virus 3 genotype I in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil

The dengue virus (DENV), of the genus Flavivirus (Flaviviridae), has four antigenically distinct serotypes, of which DENV-3 is classified into five genotypes. Here, we describe the detection of DENV-3 genotype I in sera of a Brazilian patient travelling from Singapore to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, by using multiplex real-time RT-PCR, DNA sequencing of the whole envelope protein gene, and phylogenetic analysis. The virus shares ancestry with those identified in Bali, Indonesia, in 2015. It is possible that arboviruses such as Chikungunya ECSA genotype, DENV-4 genotype I, and Zika were introduced in Brazil from other continents during the multiple international events hosted by the country over the last four years, including World Youth Day, the Soccer World Cup, and the Summer Olympics.