Sequence analysis of the 2009 pandemic influenza A H1N1 virus haemagglutinin gene from 2009-2010 Brazilian clinical samples.

In this paper, we analysed the haemagglutinin (HA) gene identified by polymerase chain reaction from 90 influenza A H1N1 virus strains that circulated in Brazil from April 2009-June 2010. A World Health Organization sequencing protocol allowed us to identify amino acid mutations in the HA protein at positions S220T (71%), D239G/N/S (20%), Y247H (4.5%), E252K (3.3%), M274V (2.2%), Q310H (26.7%) and E391K (12%). A fatal outcome was associated with the D239G mutation (p < 0.0001). Brazilian HA genetic diversity, in comparison to a reference strain from California, highlights the role of influenza virus surveillance for study of viral evolution, in addition to monitoring the spread of the virus worldwide.

Importation and early local transmission of COVID-19 in Brazil, 2020.

We conducted the genome sequencing and analysis of the first confirmed COVID-19 infections in Brazil. Rapid sequencing coupled with phylogenetic analyses in the context of travel history corroborate multiple independent importations from Italy and local spread during the initial stage of COVID-19 transmission in Brazil.

Genetic evolution of influenza viruses among selected countries in Latin America, 2017-2018.

OBJECTIVE: Since the 2009 influenza pandemic, Latin American (LA) countries have strengthened their influenza surveillance systems. We analyzed influenza genetic sequence data from the 2017 through 2018 Southern Hemisphere (SH) influenza season from selected LA countries, to map the availability of influenza genetic sequence data from, and to describe, the 2017 through 2018 SH influenza seasons in LA. METHODS: We analyzed influenza A/H1pdm09, A/H3, B/Victoria and B/Yamagata hemagglutinin sequences from clinical samples from 12 National Influenza Centers (NICs) in ten countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay) with a collection date from epidemiologic week (EW) 18, 2017 through EW 43, 2018. These sequences were generated by the NIC or the WHO Collaborating Center (CC) at the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, uploaded to the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) platform, and used for phylogenetic reconstruction. FINDINGS: Influenza hemagglutinin sequences from the participating countries (A/H1pdm09 n = 326, A/H3 n = 636, B n = 433) were highly concordant with the genetic groups of the influenza vaccine-recommended viruses for influenza A/H1pdm09 and influenza B. For influenza A/H3, the concordance was variable. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the constant evolution of influenza viruses, high-quality surveillance data-specifically genetic sequence data, are important to allow public health decision makers to make informed decisions about prevention and control strategies, such as influenza vaccine composition. Countries that conduct influenza genetic sequencing for surveillance in LA should continue to work with the WHO CCs to produce high-quality genetic sequence data and upload those sequences to open-access databases.

Molecular epidemiology of influenza A(H1N1)PDM09 hemagglutinin gene circulating in São Paulo State , Brazil: 2016 anticipated influenza season.

Compared to previous years, seasonal influenza activity commenced early in São Paulo State, Brazil, Southern hemisphere during the 2016 year. In order to investigate the genetic pattern of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 in the State of Sao Paulo a total of 479 respiratory samples, collected in January by Sentinel Surveillance Units, were screened by real-time RT-PCR. A total of 6 Influenza viruses A(H1N1)pdm09 presenting ct values ≤ 30 were sequenced following phylogenetic analysis. The present study identified the circulation of the new 6B.1 subgroup (A/Sao Paulo/10-118/2016 and A/Sao Paulo/3032/2016). In addition, influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 group 6B has also been identified during January in the State of Sao Paulo. Despite amino acid changes and changes in potential glycosylation motifs, 6B.1 viruses were well inhibited by the reference ferret antiserum against A/California/07/2009 virus, the A(H1N1)pdm09 component of the vaccine for the 2016 influenza season.

Importation and early local transmission of COVID-19 in Brazil, 2020

We conducted the genome sequencing and analysis of the first confirmed COVID-19 infections in Brazil. Rapid sequencing coupled with phylogenetic analyses in the context of travel history corroborate multiple independent importations from Italy and local spread during the initial stage of COVID-19 transmission in Brazil. (AU)

Molecular characterization of influenza B virus outbreak on a cruise ship in Brazil 2012.

In February 2012, an outbreak of respiratory illness occurred on the cruise ship MSC Armonia in Brazil. A 31-year-old female crew member was hospitalized with respiratory failure and subsequently died. To study the etiology of the respiratory illness, tissue taken at necropsy from the deceased woman and respiratory specimens from thirteen passengers and crew members with respiratory symptoms were analyzed. Influenza real-time RT-PCR assays were performed, and the full-length hemagglutinin (HA) gene of influenza-positive samples was sequenced. Influenza B virus was detected in samples from seven of the individuals, suggesting that it was the cause of this respiratory illness outbreak. The sequence analysis of the HA gene indicated that the virus was closely related to the B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus, Victoria lineage, a virus contained in the 2011-12 influenza vaccine for the Southern Hemisphere. Since the recommended composition of the influenza vaccine for use during the 2013 season changed, an intensive surveillance of viruses circulating worldwide is crucial. Molecular analysis is an important tool to characterize the pathogen responsible for an outbreak such as this. In addition, laboratory disease surveillance contributes to the control measures for vaccine-preventable influenza.

Molecular charatterization of influenza b virus outbreak on a cruise ship in Brazil 2012 / Caracterização molecular de surto de vírus influenza B em cruzeiro marítimo no Brasil 2012

In February 2012, an outbreak of respiratory illness occurred on the cruise ship MSC Armonia in Brazil. A 31-year-old female crew member was hospitalized with respiratory failure and subsequently died. To study the etiology of the respiratory illness, tissue taken at necropsy from the deceased woman and respiratory specimens from thirteen passengers and crew members with respiratory symptoms were analyzed. Influenza real-time RT-PCR assays were performed, and the full-length hemagglutinin (HA) gene of influenza-positive samples was sequenced. Influenza B virus was detected in samples from seven of the individuals, suggesting that it was the cause of this respiratory illness outbreak. The sequence analysis of the HA gene indicated that the virus was closely related to the B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus, Victoria lineage, a virus contained in the 2011-12 influenza vaccine for the Southern Hemisphere. Since the recommended composition of the influenza vaccine for use during the 2013 season changed, an intensive surveillance of viruses circulating worldwide is crucial. Molecular analysis is an important tool to characterize the pathogen responsible for an outbreak such as this. In addition, laboratory disease surveillance contributes to the control measures for vaccine-preventable influenza.

Em fevereiro de 2012, durante a temporada de verão no Brasil, um surto de doença respiratória ocorreu no navio de cruzeiro MSC Armonia. Mulher de 31 anos, membro da tripulação, foi internada com insuficiência respiratória e morreu. Com o objetivo de estudar a etiologia da doença foram investigadas necrópsia de tecido do caso fatal e secreções respiratórias de 13 passageiros e membros da tripulação com sintomas respiratórios. O teste de influenza por RT-PCR em tempo real foi realizado e o gene completo da hemaglutinina (HA) das amostras positivas foi sequenciado. O vírus influenza B foi detectado em sete indivíduos, sugerindo-o como a causa do surto de doença respiratória a bordo do navio. A análise da sequência do gene da HA indicou que os vírus estão fortemente relacionados com o vírus B/Brisbane/60/2008, linhagem Victoria, componente da vacina de influenza para 2011-2012 no hemisfério sul. Uma vez que a composição da vacina foi alterada para uso na temporada de 2012-2013, é essencial a vigilância ativa dos vírus circulantes em todo o mundo. A análise molecular é uma ferramenta importante para caracterização do patógeno responsável pelo surto. Além disso, a vigilância de doenças baseada em dados laboratoriais contribui para as medidas de controle da influenza, uma doença imunoprevinível.

Sequence analysis of the 2009 pandemic influenza A H1N1 virus haemagglutinin gene from 2009-2010 Brazilian clinical samples

In this paper, we analysed the haemagglutinin (HA) gene identified by polymerase chain reaction from 90 influenza A H1N1 virus strains that circulated in Brazil from April 2009-June 2010. A World Health Organization sequencing protocol allowed us to identify amino acid mutations in the HA protein at positions S220T (71 percent), D239G/N/S (20 percent), Y247H (4.5 percent), E252K (3.3 percent), M274V (2.2 percent), Q310H (26.7 percent) and E391K (12 percent). A fatal outcome was associated with the D239G mutation (p < 0.0001). Brazilian HA genetic diversity, in comparison to a reference strain from California, highlights the role of influenza virus surveillance for study of viral evolution, in addition to monitoring the spread of the virus worldwide.

Diagnóstico de conjuntivite adenoviral pelo RPS Adenodetector® / Adenovirus conjunctivitis diagnosis using RPS Adenodetector®

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a utilização do RPS Adenodetector®, como método diagnóstico de pacientes com quadro clínico de conjuntivite adenoviral. MÉTODOS: Análise de série de casos consecutivos de pacientes com diagnóstico clínico de ceratoconjuntivite adenoviral submetidos comparativamente ao teste RPS Adenodetector® e a raspado conjuntival para cultura de vírus. RESULTADOS: Dos 11 pacientes avaliados, 10 pacientes apresentavam acometimento unilateral. Em relação ao tempo de início dos sintomas no momento da colheita, 5 (45,5 por cento) pacientes apresentavam dois dias de história, 5 (45,5 por cento) apresentavam três dias e 1 (9,1 por cento) apresentava 7 dias. A cultura para adenovírus foi positiva em 8 pacientes (73 por cento) e o RPS Adenodetector® foi positivo em 9 pacientes (82 por cento). Oito pacientes apresentaram o teste rápido e cultura positiva. Um paciente apresentou teste RPS Adenodetector® positivo com cultura negativa. Os dois pacientes com teste RPS Adenodetector® negativo apresentaram cultura negativa. O RPS Adenodetector® mostrou sensibilidade de 100 por cento e especificidade de 67 por cento adotando-se a cultura de vírus como exame padrão-ouro para o diagnóstico de conjuntivite adenoviral. CONCLUSÃO: O RPS Adenodetector® foi útil para o diagnóstico de conjuntivite adenoviral e pode auxiliar na orientação do paciente quanto ao contágio e disseminação da doença.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the RPS Adenodetector®, a rapid immunochromatographic test, in the diagnosis of patients with clinical overt adenoviral conjunctivitis. METHODS: Consecutive case series. Patients underwent conjunctiva scraping for RPS Adenodetector® test and culture to identify adenovirus. RESULTS: A total of 11 patients were studied, and 10 had unilateral disease. Five (45.5 percent) had symptoms for 2 days, 5 for three days, and 1 for 7 days. Adenovirus culture was positive in 8 patients (73 percent) and RPS Adenodetector® was positive in 9 (82 percent) patients. Eight patients had adenovirus identification by both methods. In one patient the RPS Adenodetector® was positive in contrast to a negative culture. The two patients revealing negative RPS Adenodetector® results also had negative cultures. The sensitivity was 100 percent and the specificity was 67 percent. CONCLUSION: The RPS Adenodetector® is a useful tool in the rapid diagnosis of adenovirus conjunctivitis and may contribute to the spread control of this highly contagious disease.

Occurrence of influenza B/Hong Kong-Like strains in Brazil, during 2002

Through the influenza virus surveillance from January to October 2002, influenza B/Hong Kong-like strains circulating in the Southeast and Centre East regions of Brazil have been demonstrated. This strain is a variant from B/Victoria/02/88 whose since 1991 and until recently have been isolated relatively infrequently and have been limited to South-Eastern Asia. A total of 510 respiratory secretions were collected from patients 0 to 60 years of age, with acute respiratory illness, living in the Southeast and Centre East regions of Brazil, of which 86 (17.13 percent) were positive for influenza virus. Among them 12 (13.95 percent) were characterized as B/Hong Kong/330/2001; 3 (3.49 percent) as B/Hong Kong/1351/2002 a variant from B/Hong Kong/330/2001; 1 (1.16 percent) as B/Sichuan/379/99; 1 (1.16 percent) as B/Shizuoka/5/2001, until now. The percentages of cases notified during the surveillance period were 34.88 percent, 15.12 percent, 15.12 percent, 4.65 percent, 15.12 percent, 13.95 percent, in the age groups of 0-4, 5-10, 11-15, 16-20, 21-30, 31-50, respectively. The highest proportion of isolates was observed among children younger than 4 years but serious morbidity and mortality has not been observed among people older than 65 years, although B influenza virus component for vaccination campaign 2002 was B/Sichuan/379/99 strain. This was probably due to the elderly protection acquired against B/Victoria/02/88. In addition, in influenza A/Panama/2007/99-like (H3N2) strains 22 (25.58 percent) were also detected, but influenza A(H1N1) has not been detected yet

Comparative study of adenoviruses with monoclonal antibodies

The obtainment of monoclonal antibodies for adenovirus species 4(Ad4) is described. The specificities of selected monoclonal antibodies were determined by means of viral neutralization test in cell culture, immunofluorescence and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), in the presence of the following species of human adenovirus: 1, 2, 5 (subgenus C), 4 (subgenus E), 7 and 16 (subgenus B) and 9 (subgenus D). Two monoclonal antibodies species specific to adenovirus 4 (1CIII and 3DIII) and one monoclonal antibody that cross reacted with adenovirus species 4 and 7 (2HIII) were obtained.

Utilização da cultura de células de rim de Hamster para o isolamento do vírus da caxumba (parotidite epidêmica) / Cultures of hamster kidney cells in the isolation of mumps virus

Cultura de células de linhagem contínua de rim de hamster (BHK-21) demonstrou ser um sistema mais sensível e mais rápido para o isolamento do vírus da caxumba, quando comparado com o de ovos embrionados de galinha. Estas células podem ser cultivadas sem dificuldade, em laboratório, ao contrário das células primárias de rim de macaco, igualmente sensíveis mas que são de difícil obtenção. A utilização de células BHK-21 para o isolamento do vírus da caxumba, do material biológico, constitui uma boa alternativa no diagnóstico das infecções causadas por esse vírus (AU).

Outbreak of influenza type A (H1N1) in Iporanga, Säo Paulo State, Brazil

From June to July 1999 an outbreak of acute respiratory illness occurred in the town of Iporanga. Out of a total of 4,837 inhabitants, 324 cases were notified to the Regional Surveillance Service. Influenza virus was isolated from 57.1 percent of the collected samples and 100 percent seroconversion to influenza A (H1N1) was obtained in 20 paired sera tested. The isolates were related to the A/Bayern/07/95 strain (H1N1). The percentages of cases notified during the outbreak were 28.4 percent, 29.0 percent, 20.7 percent, 6.2 percent and 15.7 percent in the age groups of 0-4, 5-9, 10-14, 15-19 and older than 20 years, respectively. The highest proportion of positives was observed among children younger than 14 years and no cases were notified in people older than 65 years, none of whom had been recently vaccinated against influenza. These findings suggest a significant vaccine protection against A/Bayern/7/95, the H1 component included in the 1997-98 influenza vaccine for elderly people. This viral strain is antigenically and genetically related to A/Beijing/262/95, the H1 component of the 1999 vaccine. Vaccines containing A/Beijing/262/95 (H1N1) stimulated post-immunization hemagglutination inhibition antibodies equivalent in frequency and titre to both A/Beijing/262/95-like and A/Bayern/7/95-like viruses. Thus, this investigation demonstrates the effectiveness of vaccination against influenza virus in the elderly

Influenza: cenário atual pandemia iminente & plano de contingência / Influenza: current scenario iminent pandemics and contingency plan

Os eventos recentes relacionados à expansão geográfica do vírus aviário Influenza A(H5N1) de alta patogenicidade, com relato de acometimento em humanos, cujo epicentro situa-se no Sudoeste Asiático, deixam claro a possibilidade da iminência de uma pandemia de influenza, com impacto significativo na economia global. O presente artigo descreve o cenário atual da influenza humana e aviária, as características da infecção humana com vírus influenza A(H5N1) e traz revisões sobre as principais recomendações da OMS, quanto ao manejo clínico e medidas de prevenção e controle destes agravos. Assim como, a orientação referente a elaboração do plano de contingência, frente a uma possível pandemia de influenza, com destaque para o delineamento das principais proposições.