ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Encephalitis is a severe neurological syndrome for which herpesvirus and enteroviruses are the most common etiological agents. Arboviruses, a wildly diverse group of pathogens, are also critical epidemiological agents associated with encephalitis. In Brazil, little is known about the causative agents of encephalitis. METHODS: We conducted a hospital surveillance for encephalitis between 2020 and 2022. Molecular (RT-PCR and qPCR) and serological (virus-specific IgM and viral antigens) techniques were performed in cerebrospinal fluid and serum samples obtained from study participants. RESULTS: In the 43 participants evaluated, the etiologic agent or the presence of IgM was detected in 16 (37.2%). Nine (20.9%) cases were positive for chikungunya virus (CHIKV), three (7.0%) for dengue virus, two (4.7%) for human adenovirus, one (2.3%) for varicella-zoster virus, and one (2.3%) for enterovirus. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that the CHIKV identified belongs to the East/Central/South African lineage. CONCLUSION: Herein, CHIKV is a common pathogen identified in encephalitis cases. Our results reinforce previous evidence that chikungunya represents a significant cause of encephalitis during CHIKV outbreaks and epidemics and add to existing information on the epidemiology of encephalitis in Brazil.
Subject(s)
Chikungunya Fever , Chikungunya virus , Humans , Brazil/epidemiology , Chikungunya virus/genetics , Chikungunya virus/isolation & purification , Male , Female , Chikungunya Fever/epidemiology , Chikungunya Fever/virology , Chikungunya Fever/diagnosis , Chikungunya Fever/blood , Adult , Adolescent , Child , Young Adult , Middle Aged , Child, Preschool , Antibodies, Viral/blood , Encephalitis, Viral/epidemiology , Encephalitis, Viral/virology , Encephalitis, Viral/diagnosis , Immunoglobulin M/blood , Aged , Dengue Virus/genetics , Dengue Virus/isolation & purification , Infant , Phylogeny , Herpesvirus 3, Human/genetics , Herpesvirus 3, Human/isolation & purification , Enterovirus/isolation & purification , Enterovirus/genetics , Whole Genome SequencingABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Deciduous teeth eruption is connected to children's growth and development. In Brazil, with the increase in the occurrence of children born with microcephaly associated to exposure to Zika virus, studies about orofacial alterations were necessary. OBJECTIVE: Describe the chronology and sequence of deciduous teeth in children with microcephaly due to the fetal exposure to Zika virus. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study involving 74 children of a neuropediatric reference unit in Salvador, Bahia, in 2017 was conducted. Through use of secondary data, interviews with mothers and children's exam, the population was characterized, the chronology and sequence of deciduous teeth eruption was registered, and the analysis of the variables was proceeded. RESULTS: The first eruption happened between 4 and 17 months of age and 52.70% had a delay in the eruption of incisors. The average eruption time for the maxilla varies from 17.92 (16.56-19.28; 95% CI) to 20.43 (19.35-21.51; 95% CI) months, and the jaw from 11.57 (6.85-18.99; 95% CI) to 20.20 (19.09-21.31; 95% CI) months. In 77.94% of population, the eruption of the first teeth was in the lower arch and in 33.82%, molars and/or canines erupted before the incisors. CONCLUSIONS: There were alteration in the chronology and sequence of deciduous teeth eruption.