Prevalência de Influenza A, vírus sincicial respiratório eSARS-CoV-2 em pacientes com síndrome respiratóriaaguda grave em Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul / Prevalence of Influenza A, respiratory syncytial virus andSARS-CoV-2 in patients with severe acute respiratorysyndrome in Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul

A síndrome respiratória aguda grave (SRAG) é caracterizada por sintomas de febre alta, tosse e dispneia, e, na maioria dos casos, relacionada a uma quantidade reduzida de agentes infecciosos. O objetivo foi avaliar a prevalência dos vírus respiratórios Influenza A (FluA), vírus sincicial respiratório (RSV) e do novo coronavírus (SARS-CoV-2) em pacientes com internação hospitalar por SRAG. Estudo transversal, com pacientes em internação hospitalar com SRAG entre novembro de 2021 e maio de 2022. Dados sociodemográficos e clínicos e amostras da nasofaringe foram coletados/as, as quais foram submetidas à extração de RNA e testadas quanto à positividade para Influenza A, RSV e SARS-CoV-2 por meio da técnica de PCR em tempo real pelo método SYBR Green. Foram incluídos 42 pacientes, sendo 59,5% do sexo feminino, 57,1% idosos, 54,8% com ensino fundamental. A maior parte dos pacientes reportou hábito tabagista prévio ou atual (54,8%), não etilista (73,8%) e 83,3% deles apresentavam alguma comorbidade, sendo hipertensão arterial sistêmica e diabetes mellitus tipo 2 as mais prevalentes. Um total de 10,5% dos pacientes testou positivo para FluA, nenhuma amostra positiva para RSV e 76,3% positivos para SARS-CoV-2. Na população estudada, SRAG com agravo hospitalar foi observado em maior proporção, em mulheres, idosos e pessoas com comorbidades, embora sem significância estatística, sendo o novo coronavírus o agente etiológico mais relacionado, o que evidencia a patogenicidade desse agente e suas consequências ainda são evidentes após quase 2 anos de período pandêmico.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is characterized by symptoms of high fever, cough and dyspnea, and is in most cases related to a reduced amount of infectious agents. The objective was to assess the prevalence of respiratory viruses Influenza A (FluA), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in patients hospitalized for SARS. Cross-sectional study, with patients hospitalized with SARS between November 2021 and May 2022. Sociodemographic and clinical data and nasopharyngeal samples were collected, which were subjected to RNA extraction and tested for positivity for Influenza A, RSV and SARS-CoV-2 using the real-time PCR technique using the SYBR Green method. 42 patients were included, 59.5% female, 57.1% elderly, 54.8% with primary education. Most patients reported previous or current smoking habits (54.8%), non-drinkers (73.8) and 83.3% of them had some comorbidity, with systemic arterial hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus being the most prevalent. A total of 10.5% of patients tested positive for FluA, no samples positive for RSV, and 76.3% positive for SARS-CoV-2. In the studied population, SARS with hospital injury was observed more frequently in women and the elderly, with associated comorbidities, with the new coronavirus being the most related etiological agent, which shows, although not statistically significant, that the pathogenicity of this agent and its consequences are still evident after almost 2 years of period pandemic.

Long-Term Co-Circulation of Host-Specialist and Host-Generalist Lineages of Group B Streptococcus in Brazilian Dairy Cattle with Heterogeneous Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles.

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a major cause of contagious bovine mastitis (CBM) in Brazil. The GBS population is composed of host-generalist and host-specialist lineages, which may differ in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and zoonotic potential, and the surveillance of bovine GBS is crucial to developing effective CBM control and prevention measures. Here, we investigated bovine GBS isolates (n = 156) collected in Brazil between 1987 and 2021 using phenotypic testing and whole-genome sequencing to uncover the molecular epidemiology of bovine GBS. Clonal complex (CC) 61/67 was the predominant clade in the 20th century; however, it was replaced by CC91, with which it shares a most common recent ancestor, in the 21st century, despite the higher prevalence of AMR in CC61/67 than in CC91, and high selection pressure for AMR from indiscriminate antimicrobial use in the Brazilian dairy industry. CC103 also emerged as a dominant CC in the 21st century, and a considerable proportion of herds had two or more GBS strains, suggesting poor biosecurity and within-herd evolution due to the chronic nature of CBM problems. The majority of bovine GBS belonged to serotype Ia or III, which was strongly correlated with CCs. Ninety-three isolates were resistant to tetracycline (≥8 µg/mL; tetO = 57, tetM = 34 or both = 2) and forty-four were resistant to erythromycin (2.0 to >4 µg/mL; ermA = 1, ermB = 38, mechanism unidentified n = 5). Only three isolates were non-susceptible to penicillin (≥8.0 µg/mL), providing opportunities for improved antimicrobial stewardship through the use of narrow-spectrum antimicrobials for the treatment of dairy cattle. The common bovine GBS clades detected in this study have rarely been reported in humans, suggesting limited risk of interspecies transmission of GBS in Brazil. This study provides new data to support improvements to CBM and AMR control, bovine GBS vaccine design, and the management of public health risks posed by bovine GBS in Brazil.

A Síndrome Respiratória Aguda Grave na pessoa idosa no contexto da pandemia da covid-19 e seus fatores associados / Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in older adults amid the COVID-19 pandemic and associated factors

Resumo A Síndrome Respiratória Aguda Grave (SRAG) constitui-se como uma das doenças respiratórias mais preocupantes, sendo caracterizada por um quadro gripal associado à taquipneia ou à hipoxemia e saturação inferior a 95% em ar ambiente. No contexto da pandemia do novo coronavírus (SARS-CoV-2) observou-se um crescimento exponencial nos casos sendo a pessoa idosa o grupo populacional mais afetado. Diante do exposto, este estudo teve como objetivo descrever os casos de SRAG, assim como os fatores sociodemográficos e de saúde associados ao óbito na população idosa de um município do norte do estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Trata-se de um estudo epidemiológico, realizado a partir da análise de dados do Sistema de Informação de Vigilância Epidemiológica da Gripe. As informações foram disponibilizadas pela Secretaria Municipal de Saúde do município de Passo Fundo entre 01 de janeiro a 31 de dezembro de 2020. A estatística descritiva compreendeu a distribuição das frequências absolutas (n) e relativas (%) das variáveis de interesse. Na análise dos fatores associados estimouse razões de odds brutas e ajustadas por meio da Regressão Logística. Foi observado um total de 1.268 notificações por SRAG em idosos, sendo 72% causadas pela covid-19. A letalidade observada foi alta (40,9%), principalmente entre homens e de baixa escolaridade, sendo a presença de algum fator de risco determinante para o óbito, destacando-se a doença renal crônica. Espera-se que as associações evidenciadas neste trabalho possam auxiliar nas políticas de saúde direcionadas à saúde da pessoa idosa, sobretudo pelo fortalecimento das ações na rede de atenção primária.

Abstract Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is one of the most worrying respiratory diseases, characterized by a flu-like condition associated with tachypnea or hypoxemia, with saturation below 95% in ambient air. In the context of the new coronavirus (SARSCoV- 2) pandemic, exponential growth in cases was observed, with the elderly being the most affected population group. This study aimed to describe SARS cases, as well as socio-demographic and health-associated factors in the elderly population of a city in the north of Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. This is an epidemiological study carried out by Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance Information System. The information was made available by the Municipal Health Department of the Passo Fundo between January 1st and December 31st, 2020. In the descriptive analysis, the distribution of absolute (n) and relative (%) frequencies of the variables of interest was performed. Crude and adjusted odds ratios were estimated using Logistic Regression. A total of 1,268 SARS notifications were observed in the elderly, 72% of which were caused by covid-19. The lethality was high (40.9%), mainly among men and those with low education, with the presence of at least one risk factor, especially chronic kidney disease. It is expected that the associations highlighted in this study can help to develop health policies aimed at the health of the elderly, especially by strengthening actions in primary health care.

Quantitative G6PD Deficiency Screening in Routine Malaria Diagnostic Units in the Brazilian Amazon (SAFEPRIM): An Operational Mixed-Methods Study.

BACKGROUND: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency testing is not routinely performed before primaquine treatment in most Plasmodium vivax endemic areas, despite the risk of primaquine-associated hemolysis. This is due to the operational challenges associated with pragmatic G6PD testing and as such needs to be addressed. METHODS AND FINDINGS: This mixed-methods operational study was aimed at implementing the quantitative point-of-care StandardTM G6PD (SD Biosensor, Korea) screening test in malaria treatment units (MTUs) in the municipalities of Rio Preto da Eva and Mâncio Lima, in the Brazilian Amazon, between mid-January 2020 and December 2020. In total, 1286 P. vivax cases were treated based on the Standard G6PD test: 1230 had activity equal to or greater than 4.0 U/g Hb, and 56 less than 4.0 U/g Hb. No G6PD deficient (G6PDd) genotypes were found in 96 samples from the 1230, and only 21 of the 56 G6PDd cases had confirmed G6PDd genotypes. Evaluations were conducted on the proficiency of health care professionals (HCPs) training to perform the test, the reliability of testing performed in the field, and the perceptions of HCPs and patients about the implementation. Post-training proficiency was 73.4% after a 4-hour training session. This study revealed that locations with lower malaria caseloads will need regular refresher training. The test was well accepted by both HCPs and patients. Signs and symptoms of hemolysis were not always associated with malaria treatment drugs by HCPs and patients. INTERPRETATION: Point-of-care quantitative G6PD testing can be performed at MTUs in the Brazilian Amazon to inform treatment decisions with primaquine. Limitations related to technical and cultural aspects need to be addressed further when expanding screening to larger areas.

Detection of the international lineage ST71 of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in two cities in Rio de Janeiro State.

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is the main coagulase-positive staphylococci associated with canine skin/soft tissue infections (SSTI), otitis externa, and surgical site infections. The international spread of an epidemic and multiresistant lineage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP), the so-called European clone-displaying sequence type (ST) 71-requires attention. The first isolation of an MRSP ST71 isolate in South America was reported in Rio de Janeiro city, in 2010; however, a limited number of canine isolates were analyzed. Thus, to have a better panel of the MRSP spread in this city, we were stimulated to continue this study and search for the presence of MRSP in 282 colonized or infected dogs in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Among the MRSP isolates collected (N = 17; 6.1%), the pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns were similar to those of European clone. All 17 isolates were classified as ST71 by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). In order to assess whether isolates of MRSP ST71 may have also spread to the Rio de Janeiro state countryside, we collected samples from 124 infected dogs in the city of Campos dos Goytacazes (232 km away from Rio de Janeiro city). Our data showed the presence of ST71 lineage in one isolate among three MRSP detected. S. pseudintermedius was isolated from 40.6% of the clinical samples (N = 165/406). A relatively high incidence of methicillin resistance, detected by a PCR-based method, was found in 12.1% of the S. pseudintermedius recovered from animals (N = 20/165). The resistance profile of these isolates was similar to that described for the international ST71 strains whose genomes are publicly available in the GenBank. The prospect of ST71 isolates being resistant to virtually all antimicrobials used in veterinary medicine is alarming and should be considered a central issue considering that MRSP ST71 spreads over large geographic distances and its transmission from animals to humans.

Caracterização dos óbitos por suicídio entre 2013-2017 / Characterization of deaths by suicide between 2013-2017

OBJETIVO: Descrever a frequência, a distribuição e as principais características dos casos de suicídio no Rio Grande do Sul. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal que incluiu todos os óbitos por suicídio notificados de 01/01/2013 a 31/12/2017. A análise compreendeu a descrição dos casos, a verificação da distribuição do método conforme o sexo e o cálculo das estimativas anuais de mortalidade. RESULTADOS: Foram notificados 5.901 casos, a maioria do sexo masculino (79,3%), com idade entre 35 e 59 anos (45,9%), cor de pele branca (90,9%), ensino fundamental (66,6%), sem cônjuge (63,6%) e trabalhadores do setor secundário (54,4%). Do suicídio predominou ocorrência policial como fonte de notificação (90,8%), domicílio como local de ocorrência (68,9%), enforcamento, estrangulamento ou sufocação como causa básica (71%); observaram-se diferenças significativas entre homens e mulheres quanto à escolha do método e aumento nas taxas anuais de mortalidade no período analisado. CONCLUSÃO: Constatou-se aumento dos óbitos por suicídio no local e período estudados, indicando que é uma importante causa de mortalidade, especialmente, entre homens adultos.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the frequency, distribution and main characteristics of suicide cases in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. METHODS: Cross-sectional study that included all deaths by suicide reported from 01/01/2013 to 12/31/2017. The analysis included the description of the cases, the verification of the distribution of the method according to sex and the calculation of annual mortality estimates. RESULTS: 5,901 cases were reported, mostly male (79.3%), aged between 35-59 years (45.9%), white skin color (90.9%), elementary school (66,6%), without a spouse (63.6%) and secondary sector workers (54.4%). There was a predominance of police occurrences as a source of notification (90.8%), home as the place of occurrence (68.9%), hanging, strangulation or suffocation as a basic cause (71%), significant differences were observed between men and women as to the choice of method and increase in annual mortality rates in the analyzed period. CONCLUSION: There was an increase in deaths by suicide in the studied place and period, indicating that it is an important cause of mortality, especially among adult men.

Comparative genomics of MRSA strains from human and canine origins reveals similar virulence gene repertoire.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important pathogen associated with a wide variety of infections in humans. The ability of MRSA to infect companion animals has gained increasing attention in the scientific literature. In this study, 334 dogs were screened for MRSA in two cities located in Rio de Janeiro State. The prevalence of MRSA in dogs was 2.7%. Genotyping revealed isolates from sequence types (ST) 1, 5, 30, and 239 either colonizing or infecting dogs. The genome of the canine ST5 MRSA (strain SA112) was compared with ST5 MRSA from humans-the main lineage found in Rio de Janeiro hospitals-to gain insights in the origin of this dog isolate. Phylogenetic analysis situated the canine genome and human strain CR14-035 in the same clade. Comparative genomics revealed similar virulence profiles for SA112 and CR14-035. Both genomes carry S. aureus genomic islands νSAα, νSAß, and νSAγ. The virulence potential of the canine and human strains was similar in a Caenorhabditis elegans model. Together, these results suggest a potential of canine MRSA to infect humans and vice versa. The circulation in community settings of a MRSA lineage commonly found in hospitals is an additional challenge for public health surveillance authorities.

A Epidemia da Gripe Espanhola e do COVID-19 no Brasil: um paralelo / The epidemic of Spanish Flu and COVID-19 in Brazil: a parallel

O artigo traça um paralelo entre a pandemia da Gripe Espanhola e da COVID-19 perante suas repercussões em âmbito social, governamental e de saúde no Brasil. Através da análise de textos e registros que retratam os impactos dessas doenças infectocontagiosas separadas por um período secular, nota-se que as evoluções e mudanças na ciência e na sociedade durante esse distanciamento cronológico não foram o suficiente para impedir a máxima: a história é cíclica. Falsas notícias, remédios caseiros milagrosos, polêmicas na condução dos responsáveis pela saúde pública, contradição no discurso da saúde e até a vitimização desproporcional da população devido à raiz histórica marcada pela desigualdade social do país são alguns dos denominadores comuns desses eventos. Por outro lado, os pontos divergentes demonstram como um século possibilitou a aquisição de conhecimentos que propiciaram o surgimento de novas alternativas para enfrentar desafios semelhantes. Dessa forma, o paralelo permite incitar reflexões acerca da sociedade e do estado brasileiro e a suas formas de enfrentamento frente a esses eventos sombrios que as epidemias representam, cujos desfechos são razão de registro e fascínio desde a Antiguidade.

The article draws a parallel between the Pandemic of the Spanish Influenza and COVID-19 in view of its social, governmental and health repercussions in Brazil. Through the analysis of texts and records that portray the impacts of these infectious diseases separated by a secular period, it is noted that the evolutions and changes in science and society during this chronological distancing were not enough to prevent the maxim: history is cyclical. False news, miraculous home remedies, controversies in the conduct of those responsible for the public health, contradiction in health discourse and even the disproportionate victimization of the population due to the historical root marked by social inequality in Brazil are some of the common denominators of these events. On the other hand, the divergent points demonstrate how a century has made it possible to acquire knowledge that has enabled the emergence of new alternatives to face similar challenges. In this way, the parallel allows us to stimulate reflections about society and the Brazilian state and their ways of confronting these dark events that the epidemics represent, whose outcomes have been a reason for registration and fascination since antiquity.

Antimicrobial Resistance in Farm Animals in Brazil: An Update Overview.

In animal husbandry, antimicrobial agents have been administered as supplements to increase production over the last 60 years. Large-scale animal production has increased the importance of antibiotic management because it may favor the evolution of antimicrobial resistance and select resistant strains. Brazil is a significant producer and exporter of animal-derived food. Although Brazil is still preparing a national surveillance plan, several changes in legislation and timely programs have been implemented. Thus, Brazilian data on antimicrobial resistance in bacteria associated with animals come from official programs and the scientific community. This review aims to update and discuss the available Brazilian data on this topic, emphasizing legal aspects, incidence, and genetics of the resistance reported by studies published since 2009, focusing on farm animals and derived foods with the most global public health impact. Studies are related to poultry, cattle, and pigs, and mainly concentrate on non-typhoid Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. We also describe legal aspects of antimicrobial use in this context; and the current occurrence of genetic elements associated with resistance to beta-lactams, colistin, and fluoroquinolones, among other antimicrobial agents. Data here presented may be useful to provide a better understanding of the Brazilian status on antimicrobial resistance related to farm animals and animal-derived food products.

Study protocol for the multicentre cohorts of Zika virus infection in pregnant women, infants, and acute clinical cases in Latin America and the Caribbean: the ZIKAlliance consortium.

BACKGROUND: The European Commission (EC) Horizon 2020 (H2020)-funded ZIKAlliance Consortium designed a multicentre study including pregnant women (PW), children (CH) and natural history (NH) cohorts. Clinical sites were selected over a wide geographic range within Latin America and the Caribbean, taking into account the dynamic course of the ZIKV epidemic. METHODS: Recruitment to the PW cohort will take place in antenatal care clinics. PW will be enrolled regardless of symptoms and followed over the course of pregnancy, approximately every 4 weeks. PW will be revisited at delivery (or after miscarriage/abortion) to assess birth outcomes, including microcephaly and other congenital abnormalities according to the evolving definition of congenital Zika syndrome (CZS). After birth, children will be followed for 2 years in the CH cohort. Follow-up visits are scheduled at ages 1-3, 4-6, 12, and 24 months to assess neurocognitive and developmental milestones. In addition, a NH cohort for the characterization of symptomatic rash/fever illness was designed, including follow-up to capture persisting health problems. Blood, urine, and other biological materials will be collected, and tested for ZIKV and other relevant arboviral diseases (dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever) using RT-PCR or serological methods. A virtual, decentralized biobank will be created. Reciprocal clinical monitoring has been established between partner sites. Substudies of ZIKV seroprevalence, transmission clustering, disabilities and health economics, viral kinetics, the potential role of antibody enhancement, and co-infections will be linked to the cohort studies. DISCUSSION: Results of these large cohort studies will provide better risk estimates for birth defects and other developmental abnormalities associated with ZIKV infection including possible co-factors for the variability of risk estimates between other countries and regions. Additional outcomes include incidence and transmission estimates of ZIKV during and after pregnancy, characterization of short and long-term clinical course following infection and viral kinetics of ZIKV. STUDY REGISTRATIONS: clinicaltrials.gov NCT03188731 (PW cohort), June 15, 2017; clinicaltrials.gov NCT03393286 (CH cohort), January 8, 2018; clinicaltrials.gov NCT03204409 (NH cohort), July 2, 2017.

A Local View of Informal Urban Environments: a Mobile Phone-Based Neighborhood Audit of Street-Level Factors in a Brazilian Informal Community.

Street-level environment characteristics influence the health behaviors and safety of urban residents, and may particularly threaten health within informal communities. However, available data on how such characteristics vary within and among informal communities is limited. We sought to adapt street audit strategies designed to characterize the physical environment for use in a large informal community, Rio das Pedras (RdP) located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A smartphone-based systematic observation protocol was used to gather street-level information for a high-density convenience sample of street segments (N = 630, estimated as 86% of all street segments in the community). We adapted items related to physical disorder and physical deterioration. Measures selected to illustrate the approach include the presence of the following: (1) low-hanging or tangled wires, (2) litter, (3) structural evidence of sinking, and (4) an unpleasant odor. Intercept-only spatial generalized additive models (GAM) were used to evaluate and visualize spatial variation within the RdP community. We also examined how our estimates and conclusions about spatial variation might have been affected by lower-density sampling from random subsets street observations. Random subsets were selected to determine the robustness of study results in scenarios with sparser street sampling. Selected characteristics were estimated to be present for between 18% (unpleasant odor) to 59% (low-hanging or tangled wires) of the street segments in RdP; estimates remain similar (± 6%) when relying on a random subset created to simulate lower-density spatial sampling. Spatial patterns of variation based on predicted probabilities across RdP differed by indicator. Structural sinking and low-hanging or tangled wires demonstrated relatively consistent spatial distribution patterns across full and random subset sample sizes. Smartphone-based systematic observations represent an efficient and potentially feasible approach to systematically studying neighborhood environments within informal communities. Future deployment of such tools will benefit from incorporating data collection across multiple time points to explore reliability and quantify neighborhood change. These tools can prove useful means to assess street-level exposures that can be modifiable health determinants across a wide range of informal urban settings. Findings can contribute to improved urban planning and provide useful information for identifying potential locations for neighborhood-scaled interventions that can improve living conditions for residents in Rio das Pedras.

Staphylococcus saprophyticus Recovered from Humans, Food, and Recreational Waters in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Staphylococcus saprophyticus is an important agent of urinary tract infection (UTI) in young women, but information about this pathogen in human microbiota and in common environment is lacking. The aim of this study was to characterize S. saprophyticus isolates from genitoanal microbiota of 621 pregnant women, 10 minas cheese packs, and five beaches in Rio de Janeiro city and compare PFGE profiles of these isolates with five UTI PFGE clusters described in this city. We investigated 65 S. saprophyticus isolates from microbiota, 13 from minas cheese, and 30 from beaches and 32 UTI isolates. Antimicrobial resistance was determined by disk diffusion, MIC by agar dilution, and PCR. Erythromycin-resistance genes erm(C), msr(A), msr(B), mph(C), and lin(A) were found in 93% of isolates. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole resistance correlated with dfrG or dfrA genes. Three cefoxitin-resistant isolates carried the mecA gene. All isolates obtained from cheese were susceptible to all antimicrobial agents. Six of 10 pregnant women with >1 isolate had monoclonal colonization. Isolates from pregnant women shared 100% similarity with UTI PFGE cluster types A and E obtained almost 10 years previously, suggesting temporal persistence of S. saprophyticus. Antimicrobial resistance of beach isolates reflected the profiles of human isolates. Taken together, results indicate a shared source for human and environmental isolates.

HOSPITAL-BASED HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT IN BRAZIL: AN OVERVIEW OF THE INITIAL EXPERIENCES.

OBJECTIVES: Hospital-based health technology assessment (HTA) has become increasingly important in Brazil due to its strategic importance to promote adoption, incorporation, dissemination, and disinvestment of technologies. A strategy to foster hospital-based HTA was implemented in 2009 by creating hospital-based HTA nuclei (NATS) at university hospitals and other strategic hospitals. METHODS: Between 2011 and 2012, we interviewed board members in twenty-three NATS located in all geographic regions of Brazil to assess their general characteristics, scientific output, and challenges. RESULTS: Of the total, 65 percent of the NATS belonged to teaching institutions, with 44 percent associated with federal universities. The bulk of their output was in the form of mini-HTA reports. Centers in the Southeast and South of Brazil had the highest production compared with other regions. Lack of expertise and low levels of advanced training were identified as limiting factors in the majority of centers. CONCLUSIONS: The experience of the initial twenty-three NATS could be considered positive and has led to the creation of new ones around Brazil. Regional disparities in workload, production, and technical training should be targeted by new policies toward hospital-based HTA in Brazil. The limits and possibilities for intensifying the strategy relate to continuous investment in priority studies, which simultaneously, allow professionals who work in hospitals to receive continued education and produce relevant HTA work in a timely manner.

Zika Virus Infection in Pregnant Women in Rio de Janeiro.

BACKGROUND: Zika virus (ZIKV) has been linked to central nervous system malformations in fetuses. To characterize the spectrum of ZIKV disease in pregnant women and infants, we followed patients in Rio de Janeiro to describe clinical manifestations in mothers and repercussions of acute ZIKV infection in infants. METHODS: We enrolled pregnant women in whom a rash had developed within the previous 5 days and tested blood and urine specimens for ZIKV by reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction assays. We followed women prospectively to obtain data on pregnancy and infant outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 345 women were enrolled from September 2015 through May 2016; of these, 182 women (53%) tested positive for ZIKV in blood, urine, or both. The timing of acute ZIKV infection ranged from 6 to 39 weeks of gestation. Predominant maternal clinical features included a pruritic descending macular or maculopapular rash, arthralgias, conjunctival injection, and headache; 27% had fever (short-term and low-grade). By July 2016, a total of 134 ZIKV-affected pregnancies and 73 ZIKV-unaffected pregnancies had reached completion, with outcomes known for 125 ZIKV-affected and 61 ZIKV-unaffected pregnancies. Infection with chikungunya virus was identified in 42% of women without ZIKV infection versus 3% of women with ZIKV infection (P<0.001). Rates of fetal death were 7% in both groups; overall adverse outcomes were 46% among offspring of ZIKV-positive women versus 11.5% among offspring of ZIKV-negative women (P<0.001). Among 117 live infants born to 116 ZIKV-positive women, 42% were found to have grossly abnormal clinical or brain imaging findings or both, including 4 infants with microcephaly. Adverse outcomes were noted regardless of the trimester during which the women were infected with ZIKV (55% of pregnancies had adverse outcomes after maternal infection in the first trimester, 52% after infection in the second trimester, and 29% after infection in the third trimester). CONCLUSIONS: Despite mild clinical symptoms in the mother, ZIKV infection during pregnancy is deleterious to the fetus and is associated with fetal death, fetal growth restriction, and a spectrum of central nervous system abnormalities. (Funded by Ministério da Saúde do Brasil and others.).

Estratégia Saúde da Família: sistema de informações e fatores associados ao cadastramento em inquérito de saúde em uma comunidade do Rio de Janeiro / Health Strategy: information system and factors associated with health survey in enrollment in a community of Rio de Janeiro

Esta tese teve como objetivo analisar os fatores sociais e de saúde associados à cobertura da ESF no território de Manguinhos, município do Rio de Janeiro, utilizando dados oriundos de um inquérito de saúde comparados aos dados oficiais obtidos no Sistema de Informação da Atenção Básica (SIAB). Relacionou-se por meio da técnica de Linkage os registros desses dois instrumentos visando identificar a população de fato registrada no SIAB. Os resultados desta pesquisa apontaram que domicílios próprios contendo um maior número de moradores, menor renda per capita, e idosos em sua composição familiar têm mais chance de estar cadastradas na Estratégia de Saúde da Família (ESF). Um totalde 596 registros foram linkados, ou seja, 62,4 por cento dos 955 domicílios entrevistados e, cerca de 18 por cento dos domicílios não informam estar cadastrados e nem foram linkados, são as famílias que provavelmente não são assistidas pela ESF. A dificuldade em se relacionar domicílios e famílias constitui um dos problemas identificados no SIAB que indicam a baixa contribuição deste sistema para a avaliação dos serviços de atenção primária. Apesar da atividade de cadastramento ser complexa e de difícil execução, esta é o alicerce para o planejamento e gestão das equipes. Estratégias visando a qualificação das informações sobre a ESF e a adesão ao cadastro precisam ser divulgadas para a população e as lideranças comunitárias visando a melhor organização do processo de trabalho dos ACS, por meio da incorporação de tecnologias como mapas e tablets. A prática de educação permanente precisa ser valorizada para o planejamento das ações e diagnóstico local da situação de saúde.

This aim of this dissertation was to analyze the social and health factors associated with coverage of Family Heath Strategy (FHS) in the territory of Manguinhos, municipality of Rio de Janeiro, using datas coming from a health survey compared with official data on the information system of primary care (SIAB). It related through Linkage, records of these two instruments to identify the population actually registered in SIAB. The results of this research showed that private households containing a larger number of residents, lower per capitain come and elderly in their family composition are more likely to beenrolled in the Family Health Strategy (FHS). A total of 596 records were linked, that is 62.4 percent of the 955 interviewed households, and about 18 percent of households do not report being registered, nor were linked, are the families that are probably not assisted in the FHS. The difficulty relating households and families is one of the problems identified in the SIAB indicating low contribution of this system for the evaluation of primary care services. Despite the registration activity is complex and difficult to implement, this is the foundation for the planning and management of teams. Strategies for the qualification of information about the ESF and joining the register must be disclosed to the public and community leaders seeking to better organization of the work process of the ACS, through the incorporation of technologies such as maps and tablets. The practice of continuing education must be valued for the planning of actions and local diagnosis of the health situation.

Mannitol-negative methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from nasal swab specimens in Brazil.

The isolation of mannitol-negative methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from nasal swabs is reported. Among the 59 isolates, 9 (15%) isolates were mannitol-negative; all of these isolates were categorized as staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) type IVa. This report emphasizes that mannitol fermentation on mannitol salt agar should not be used as the sole criterion when screening nasal swab specimens for S. aureus.

Mannitol-negative methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from nasal swab specimens in Brazil

The isolation of mannitol-negative methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from nasal swabs is reported. Among the 59 isolates, 9 (15%) isolates were mannitol-negative; all of these isolates were categorized as staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) type IVa. This report emphasizes that mannitol fermentation on mannitol salt agar should not be used as the sole criterion when screening nasal swab specimens for S. aureus.

Comparison of cefoxitin disk diffusion test and mecA gene PCR results for methicillin resistance detection in Staphylococcus intermedius group isolates from canine origin in Brazil.

The study evaluated cefoxitin disk diffusion tests breakpoints and their correlation to mecA gene PCR results for detecting Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus intermedius Group (MRSP) isolates from dogs in Brazil. Agreement using proposed breakpoint (resistant ≤ 30 mm) was encouraging. The current study reinforces that an epidemiological breakpoint can be established to predict presence of MRSP.

Comparison of cefoxitin disk diffusion test and mecA gene PCR results for methicillin resistance detection in Staphylococcus intermedius group isolates from canine origin in Brazil

The study evaluated cefoxitin disk diffusion tests breakpoints and their correlation to mecA gene PCR results for detecting Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus intermedius Group (MRSP) isolates from dogs in Brazil. Agreement using proposed breakpoint (resistant < 30 mm) was encouraging. The current study reinforces that an epidemiological breakpoint can be established to predict presence of MRSP.