Epidemiological profile of a cohort of symptomatic pregnant women with suspected Zika virus infection in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, 2015-2018. / Perfil epidemiológico de uma coorte de gestantes sintomáticas com suspeita de Zika no estado de São Paulo, 2015-2018.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiological profile of pregnant women with suspected Zika virus infection, reported on the Center for Strategic Information for Health Surveillance System, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, its range of abnormalities and/or pregnancy outcomes. METHODS: Descriptive epidemiological study of a cohort of symptomatic pregnant women with suspected Zika virus infection and their pregnancy outcomes, living in the state of São Paulo, reported between 2015-2018. RESULTS: Of the 2,329 pregnant women studied, 29.3% were confirmed to have the infection, almost half of them were single (44.8%), the majority of them were white woman (74.2%), with complete high school education (53.6%), and concentrated in the northeast region of the state. The proportion of newborns with central nervous system abnormalities was approximately 4.0%. CONCLUSION: The results found characterize Zika virus transmission in the state of São Paulo and may support public health actions in places with higher risk of disease transmission.

Epidemiological profile of a cohort of symptomatic pregnant women with suspected Zika in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, 2015-2018 / Perfil epidemiológico de una cohorte de gestantes sintomáticas con sospecha de Zika en el estado de São Paulo, Brasil, 2015-2018 / Perfil epidemiológico de uma coorte de gestantes sintomáticas com suspeita de Zika no estado de São Paulo, 2015-2018

Objective: To describe the epidemiological profile of pregnant with suspected Zika virus infection reported in the Public Health Emergency Surveillance System and the spectrum of abnormalities and/or pregnancy outcomes, Brazil. Methods: Descriptive epidemiological study of a cohort of symptomatic pregnant suspected of Zika virus infection and the outcome of their pregnancy, living in the state of São Paulo and notified in the period from 2015 to 2018. Results: Of the 2,329 studied pregnant women, 29.3% were confirmed. The most part were single (44.8%), race white (74.2%), with high school (53.6%) and were concentrated in the northeastern region of the state. The proportion of newborns with malformations in these pregnant was 4,0%. Conclusion: The results found characterize the transmission of the Zika virus in the state of São Paulo and may subsidize public health actions in places with a higher risk of disease transmission.

Objetivo: Descrever o perfil epidemiológico de gestantes com suspeita de infeção pelo vírus Zika, notificadas no Sistema de Vigilância às Emergências em Saúde Pública, do estado de São Paulo, Brasil, seu espectro de anormalidades e/ou resultados da gestação. Métodos: Estudo epidemiológico descritivo de uma coorte de gestantes sintomáticas com suspeita de infecção pelo vírus Zika e o resultado de sua gestação, residentes no estado de São Paulo, notificadas no período 2015-2018. Resultados: Das 2.329 gestantes estudadas, 29,3% foram confirmadas com a infeção, na quase metade solteiras (44,8%), a maioria de raça/cor da pele branca (74,2%), com ensino médio completo (53,6%), e concentradas no nordeste do estado. A proporção de recém-nascidos com anomalias do sistema nervoso central foi de aproximados 4,0%. Conclusão: Os resultados encontrados caracterizam a transmissão do vírus Zika em São Paulo e podem subsidiar ações de Saúde Pública nos locais com maior risco de transmissão da doença.

The role of pregnant women with rash in the Zika virus sentinel surveillance.

INTRODUCTION: The state of São Paulo has been monitoring cases of microcephaly and pregnant women presenting with acute rash, through CeVeSP. METHODS: This was a descriptive study focusing on pregnant women with rash and the outcome of their pregnancy, based on the notifications through the CeVeSP. RESULTS: During 2016, 2,209 cases of pregnant women with rash were reported and investigated. Of these, 36.6% were confirmed. Of the pregnant women who tested positive for ZIKV, 6.4% did not have a favorable outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Our results allowed the characterization of pregnant women exposed to ZIKV and the outcome of pregnancy.

The role of pregnant women with rash in the Zika virus sentinel surveillance

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The state of São Paulo has been monitoring cases of microcephaly and pregnant women presenting with acute rash, through CeVeSP. METHODS: This was a descriptive study focusing on pregnant women with rash and the outcome of their pregnancy, based on the notifications through the CeVeSP. RESULTS: During 2016, 2,209 cases of pregnant women with rash were reported and investigated. Of these, 36.6% were confirmed. Of the pregnant women who tested positive for ZIKV, 6.4% did not have a favorable outcome. CONCLUSIONS Our results allowed the characterization of pregnant women exposed to ZIKV and the outcome of pregnancy.

The role of pregnant women with rash in the Zika virus sentinel surveillance

INTRODUCTION: The state of São Paulo has been monitoring cases of microcephaly and pregnant women presenting with acute rash, through CeVeSP. METHODS: This was a descriptive study focusing on pregnant women with rash and the outcome of their pregnancy, based on the notifications through the CeVeSP. RESULTS: During 2016, 2,209 cases of pregnant women with rash were reported and investigated. Of these, 36.6% were confirmed. Of the pregnant women who tested positive for ZIKV, 6.4% did not have a favorable outcome. CONCLUSIONS Our results allowed the characterization of pregnant women exposed to ZIKV and the outcome of pregnancy.

Descriptive report of cases of congenital syndrome associated with Zika virus infection in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, from 2015 to 2017. / Descrição dos casos de síndrome congênita associada à infecção pelo ZIKV no estado de São Paulo, no período 2015 a 2017.

OBJECTIVE: to characterize cases of congenital syndrome associated with Zika virus infection (CZS) and other infectious etiologies, resident in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, from October 30, 2015, to June 30, 2017. METHODS: this was a descriptive study of suspected cases of CZS and other infectious etiologies notified on the Public Health Events Registry. RESULTS: 960 cases were investigated up to epidemiological week 26/2017, and 146 were confirmed for congenital infection; of these, 59 (40.4%) were confirmed for congenital infection without etiological identification and 87 (59.6%) with laboratory confirmation, of which 55 were congenital syndrome associated with Zika virus and 32 were congenital syndrome associated with other infectious agents. CONCLUSION: this study enabled the detection of 23.9% CZS cases among suspected cases of infectious etiology.

Descrição dos casos de síndrome congênita associada à infecção pelo ZIKV no estado de São Paulo, no período 2015 a 2017 / Descripción de los casos de síndrome congénita asociada a la infección por el virus Zika en el estado de São Paulo, Brasil, en el período de 2015 a 2017 / Descriptive report of cases of congenital syndrome associated with Zika virus infection in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, from 2015 to 2017

Objetivo: caracterizar os casos de síndrome congênita associada à infecção pelo ZIKV (SCZ) e outras etiologias infeciosas, residentes no estado de São Paulo, Brasil, no período de 30 de outubro de 2015 a 30 de junho de 2017. Métodos: estudo descritivo dos casos suspeitos de SCZ e outras etiologias infecciosas notificados no Registro de Eventos em Saúde Pública. Resultados: foram investigados 960 casos até a semana epidemiológica 26/2017, sendo confirmados 146 para infecção congênita; destes, 59 (40,4%) foram confirmados para infecção congênita sem identificação etiológica e 87 (59,6%) com confirmação laboratorial, sendo 55 com SCZ e 32 com síndrome congênita associada a outros agentes infecciosos. Conclusão: este estudo permitiu detectar 23,9% de casos de SCZ entre os casos suspeitos de etiologia infecciosa.

Objetivo: caracterizar los casos sospechosos de síndrome congénita asociada a la infección por virus Zika (SCZ) y otras etiologías infecciosas residentes en el estado de São Paulo, Brasil, en el período de 30 de octubre de 2015 a 30 de junio de 2017. Métodos: estudio descriptivo de los casos sospechosos de síndrome congénita asociada a la infección por el virus Zika y otras etiologías infecciosas notificadas en el Registro de Eventos en Salud Pública. Resultados: se han investigado 960 casos hasta la semana epidemiológica 26/2017, siendo confirmados 146 para la infección congénita; de estos, 59 fueron confirmados para infección congénita sin identificación etiológica y 87 con identificación etiológica, siendo 55 síndrome congénita asociados al virus Zika y 32 síndrome congénita asociado a otros agentes infecciosos. Conclusión: este estudio permitió detectar una tasa del 23,9% de casos de SCZ entre los casos sospechosos de etiología infecciosa.

Objective: to characterize cases of congenital syndrome associated with Zika virus infection (CZS) and other infectious etiologies, resident in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, from October 30, 2015, to June 30, 2017. Methods: this was a descriptive study of suspected cases of CZS and other infectious etiologies notified on the Public Health Events Registry. Results: 960 cases were investigated up to epidemiological week 26/2017, and 146 were confirmed for congenital infection; of these, 59 (40.4%) were confirmed for congenital infection without etiological identification and 87 (59.6%) with laboratory confirmation, of which 55 were congenital syndrome associated with Zika virus and 32 were congenital syndrome associated with other infectious agents. Conclusion: this study enabled the detection of 23.9% CZS cases among suspected cases of infectious etiology.

Probable transfusion-transmitted Zika virus in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging arthropod-borne flavivirus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. Recent commentaries regarding ZIKV routes of transmission describe a potential transmission by transfusion. Herein, we report a probable case of transfusion-transmitted ZIKV infection through a platelet transfusion that was detected from postdonation information. CASE REPORT: A blood donor made a voluntary telephone report to the blood donor facility 3 days after donation and informed the facility of a febrile illness (fever, malaise, and headaches). Due to the ongoing dengue epidemic, the initial clinical investigation included dengue among other possible diagnoses. The serology and molecular laboratory results excluded dengue infection. However, stored samples from the donation were positive for ZIKV on reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. A retrospective investigation demonstrated that the platelet concentrate, which was part of a pool, had been transfused after a liver transplantation. A physician had evaluated the patient 4 days after surgery. Laboratory investigation showed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results that were negative for dengue immunoglobulin M antibodies; however, the results were positive for hemagglutination inhibition antibodies against flavivirus. ZIKV RT-PCR and virus isolation analyses in cell cultures from recipient serum were both positive. The sequencing confirmed ZIKV in the donor and patient samples. Ten partial nucleotide sequences from the ZIKV strain that were detected in the donor were aligned and compared with the ZIKV genome detected in the recipient, revealing a 99.8% homology between the two strains. CONCLUSIONS: This is a case of probable transmission of ZIKV through blood transfusion. The patient had been transfused with the blood product from an infected donor, most likely in the incubation period after ZIKV infection but prior to clinical disease onset. This report emphasizes the importance of postdonation information and recipient investigations during outbreaks of potentially blood-borne infections.

First Complete Genome Sequence of Zika Virus (Flaviviridae, Flavivirus) from an Autochthonous Transmission in Brazil.

We report here the genome sequence of Zika virus, strain ZikaSPH2015, containing all structural and nonstructural proteins flanked by the 5' and 3' untranslated region. It was isolated in São Paulo state, Brazil, in 2015, from a patient who received a blood transfusion from an asymptomatic donor at the time of donation.

São Paulo urban heat islands have a higher incidence of dengue than other urban areas

Urban heat islands are characterized by high land surface temperature, low humidity, and poor vegetation, and considered to favor the transmission of the mosquito-borne dengue fever that is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. We analyzed the recorded dengue incidence in Sao Paulo city, Brazil, in 2010-2011, in terms of multiple environmental and socioeconomic variables. Geographical information systems, thermal remote sensing images, and census data were used to classify city areas according to land surface temper- ature, vegetation cover, population density, socioeconomic status, and housing standards. Of the 7415 dengue cases, a majority (93.1%) mapped to areas with land surface temperature >28 ◦ C. The dengue incidence rate (cases per 100,000 inhabitants) was low (3.2 cases) in high vegetation cover areas, but high (72.3 cases) in low vegetation cover areas where the land surface temperature was 29 ± 2 ◦ C. Interestingly, a multiple cluster analysis phenogram showed more dengue cases clustered in areas of land surface temperature >32 ◦ C, than in areas characterized as low socioeconomic zones, high population density areas, or slum-like areas. In laboratory experiments, A. aegypti mosquito larval development, blood feeding, and oviposition associated positively with temperatures of 28-32 ◦ C, indicating these temperatures to be favorable for dengue transmission. Thus, among all the variables studied, dengue incidence was most affected by the temperature.

São Paulo urban heat islands have a higher incidence of dengue than other urban areas.

Urban heat islands are characterized by high land surface temperature, low humidity, and poor vegetation, and considered to favor the transmission of the mosquito-borne dengue fever that is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. We analyzed the recorded dengue incidence in Sao Paulo city, Brazil, in 2010-2011, in terms of multiple environmental and socioeconomic variables. Geographical information systems, thermal remote sensing images, and census data were used to classify city areas according to land surface temperature, vegetation cover, population density, socioeconomic status, and housing standards. Of the 7415 dengue cases, a majority (93.1%) mapped to areas with land surface temperature >28°C. The dengue incidence rate (cases per 100,000 inhabitants) was low (3.2 cases) in high vegetation cover areas, but high (72.3 cases) in low vegetation cover areas where the land surface temperature was 29±2°C. Interestingly, a multiple cluster analysis phenogram showed more dengue cases clustered in areas of land surface temperature >32°C, than in areas characterized as low socioeconomic zones, high population density areas, or slum-like areas. In laboratory experiments, A. aegypti mosquito larval development, blood feeding, and oviposition associated positively with temperatures of 28-32°C, indicating these temperatures to be favorable for dengue transmission. Thus, among all the variables studied, dengue incidence was most affected by the temperature.

Brazilian spotted fever: real-time PCR for diagnosis of fatal cases.

Suspicion of Brazilian spotted fever (BSF) should occur in endemic regions upon surveillance of the acute febrile icteric hemorrhagic syndrome (AFIHS). However, limitations associated with currently available laboratory tests pose a challenge to early diagnosis, especially in fatal cases. Two real-time PCR (qPCR) protocols were evaluated to diagnose BSF in 110 fatal AFIHS cases, collected in BSF-endemic regions in 2009-2010. Of these, 24 were positive and 86 negative by indirect immunofluorescence (IFA) assay (cut-off IgG and/or IgM ≥ 128). DNA from these samples was used in the qPCR protocols: one to detect Rickettsia spp. (citrate synthase gene) and another to determine spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia species (OmpA gene). Of the 24 IFA-positive samples, 5 (21%) were positive for OmpA and 9 (38%) for citrate synthase. In the IFA-negative group (n=86), OmpA and citrate synthase were positive in 23 (27%) and 27 (31%), respectively. These results showed that the 2 qPCR protocols were about twice as sensitive as the IFA test alone (93% concordance). In conclusion, qPCR is a sensitive method for the diagnosis of fatal BSF cases and should be considered for routine surveillance of AFIHS in places like Brazil, where spotted fever-related lethality is high and other endemic diseases like dengue and leptospirosis can mislead diagnosis.

Features of Brazilian spotted fever in two different endemic areas in Brazil.

Brazilian spotted fever (BSF) caused by Rickettsia rickettsii is the most important rickettsiosis and the only reportable tick-borne disease in Brazil. In Brazil, the hard tick Amblyomma cajennense is the most important BSF vector; however, in São Paulo State, A. aureolatum was also recognized as a vector species in remaining Atlantic forest areas near the metropolitan area of São Paulo city. We analyzed clinical and epidemiological features of BSF cases from two distinct areas where A. cajennense (Area 1) and A. aureolatum (Area 2) are the incriminated vectors. The clinical features demonstrate the same severity pattern of BSF in both endemic areas. Differences in seasonality, patient characteristics (median age and gender), and epidemiological risk factors (animals host contact and vegetation characteristics) were observed and possibly could be attributed to the characteristics of each vector and their typical biological cycle (hosts and environment).

Evaluation of dengue NS1 antigen detection for diagnosis in public health laboratories, São Paulo State, 2009.

The present work evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of detection of Dengue NS1 antigen employing two NS1 assays, an immunochromatographic assay and ELISA, in the diagnostic routine of Public Health laboratories. The results obtained with NS1 assay were compared with virus isolation and, in a subpopulation of cases, they were compared with the IgM-ELISA results obtained with convalescent samples. A total of 2,321 sera samples were analyzed by one of two NS1 techniques from March to October 2009. The samples were divided into five groups: groups I, II and III included samples tested by NS1 and virus isolation, and groups IV and V included patients with a first sample tested by NS1 and a second sample tested by IgM-ELISA. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, Kappa Index and Kappa Concordance were calculated. The results showed that NS1 testing in groups I, II and III had high sensitivity (98.0%, 99.5% and 99.3%), and predictive values and Kappa index between 0.9 - 1.0. Groups IV and V only had Kappa Concordance calculated, since the samples were analyzed according to the presence of NS1 antigen or IgM antibody. Concordance of 92.1% was observed when comparing the results of NS1-negative samples with IgM-ELISA. Based on the findings, it is possible to suggest that the tests for NS1 detection may be important tools for monitoring the introduction and spread of Dengue serotypes.

Evaluation of dengue NS1 antigen detection for diagnosis in public health laboratories, São Paulo State, 2009 / Avaliação da detecção do antígeno NS1 para diagnóstico de dengue nos Laboratórios de Saúde Pública, Estado de São Paulo, 2009

The present work evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of detection of Dengue NS1 antigen employing two NS1 assays, an immunochromatographic assay and ELISA, in the diagnostic routine of Public Health laboratories. The results obtained with NS1 assay were compared with virus isolation and, in a subpopulation of cases, they were compared with the IgM-ELISA results obtained with convalescent samples. A total of 2,321 sera samples were analyzed by one of two NS1 techniques from March to October 2009. The samples were divided into five groups: groups I, II and III included samples tested by NS1 and virus isolation, and groups IV and V included patients with a first sample tested by NS1 and a second sample tested by IgM-ELISA. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, Kappa Index and Kappa Concordance were calculated. The results showed that NS1 testing in groups I, II and III had high sensitivity (98.0 percent, 99.5 percent and 99.3 percent), and predictive values and Kappa index between 0.9 - 1.0. Groups IV and V only had Kappa Concordance calculated, since the samples were analyzed according to the presence of NS1 antigen or IgM antibody. Concordance of 92.1 percent was observed when comparing the results of NS1-negative samples with IgM-ELISA. Based on the findings, it is possible to suggest that the tests for NS1 detection may be important tools for monitoring the introduction and spread of Dengue serotypes.

Esse estudo avaliou a acurácia do diagnóstico por detecção do antígeno NS1 do vírus Dengue empregando-se ensaios em dois formatos, imunocromatográfico e ELISA, na rotina diagnóstica dos laboratórios de Saúde Pública. Compararam-se os resultados de NS1 com os resultados de isolamento viral e, em parte dos casos, foi feita a comparação com os resultados de IgM-ELISA, obtidos nas segundas amostras. Um total de 2.321 amostras de soros, obtidas no período de março a outubro de 2009, foram analisadas por uma das duas técnicas NS1. As amostras foram divididas em cinco grupos: I, II e III, que incluíram amostras analisadas por testes NS1 e por isolamento de vírus. Os grupos IV e V incluíram pacientes com a primeira amostra processada por NS1 e segunda por IgM-ELISA. Foram analisadas sensibilidade, especificidade, valor preditivo positivo e negativo, concordância e índice Kappa. Os resultados mostraram que os grupos I, II e III apresentaram alta sensibilidade (98,0 por cento, 99,5 por cento e 99,3 por cento), valores preditivos e índice Kappa entre 0,9 - 1,0. Nos grupos IV e V, apenas concordância foi calculada, dado que as amostras foram analisadas quanto à presença de antígeno NS1 ou de anticorpos IgM. Comparando-se os resultados negativos de NS1 com IgM-ELISA houve 92,1 por cento de concordância. Com base nas constatações feitas, é possível sugerir que a detecção de NS1 pode ser importante ferramenta para monitorar a introdução e disseminação dos sorotipos de Dengue.

Avaliação de kits comerciais para detecção de antígenos NS1-dengue-São Paulo / Evaluation of commercial kits for detecting the antigen NS1-dengue-São Paulo

O vírus dengue, pertencente à família Flaviviridae, gênero Flavivirus, é constituído de RNA de fita simples que codifica proteínas estruturais e não estruturais. Possui quatro sorotipos: DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 e DENV-4. O diagnóstico laboratorial rápido podeser de grande ajuda no controle da expansão da doença. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar diferentes kits de detecção da proteína NS1 do vírus dengue, tendo como referência o isolamento viral. Foram utilizadas 147 amostras de soro de pacientes com suspeita de infecção pelo DENV, das quais 64 foram recebidas para isolamento devírus e 83 para ELISA IgM. O kit Dengue NS1 Ag Strip (Bio-Rad) obteve sensibilidade de 89%, especificidade de 66%, VPP 67% e VPN 88%. O Dengue Duo Test (Bioeasy) teve sensibilidade de 89%, especificidade 68%, VPP 70% e VPN 88%. O Platelia Dengue NS1ELISA Ag (Bio-Rad) apresentou sensibilidade de 95%, especificidade47%, VPP 59% e VPN 92%. O kit dengue Early ELISA (Panbio) resultou em sensibilidade de 86%, especificidade 71%, VPP 69% e VPN 86%. De forma geral, os kits avaliados podem ser empregados no diagnóstico, sempre associados a critério clínico e epidemiológico ou outros métodos laboratoriais

Situação epidemiológica e importância da febre maculosa no Estado de São Paulo / Statistics and Epidemiology of Brazilian Spotted Fever in São Paulo, Brazil

A febre maculosa brasileira foi reconhecida no Estado de São Paulo, pela primeira vez, em 1929. Após um período de silêncio, constatou-se sua reemergência com a confirmação laboratorial dos primeiros casos em Pedreira, em 1987, seguindo-se registros em Campinas e São João da Boa Vista, Piracicaba, Salto, Mogi das Cruzes, Santo André, São Bernardo, Diadema, Ribeirão Pires, Mauá e a Capital. A doença passou a ser de notificação compulsória no Estado de São Paulo a partir de 2002, porém o sistema de informação só foi implantado em 2007. De 2003 a 2008 foram confirmados 240 casos de FMB em território paulista, com 71 óbitos e letalidade que variou de 21,9% a 40,0%. Foram analisadas as fichas de investigação epidemiológica dos casos confirmados de acordo com Norma Técnica CVE (2002), segundo atributos: sexo, idade, local de infecção, quadro clínico, atividade relacionada à infecção. A FMB ocorreu em 61 municípios paulistas, 23 dos quais localizados na região de Campinas. A doença foi mais frequente no sexo masculino, na faixa etária acima de 10 anos de idade. O critério de confirmação foi sorológico em 69% dos casos. Não foi possível determinar a situação de risco em 17,5% dos casos (percentual mais elevado nos pacientes que evoluíram para o óbito). Observa-se que o percentual de exantema foi maior naqueles que se curaram (43,5%). Houve aumento do número de municípios com transmissão da doença. É preciso confirmar se está ocorrendo uma expansão das áreas de transmissão ou apenas uma melhor detecção de casos onde a doença era desconhecida.

Brazilian spotted fever: a case series from an endemic area in southeastern Brazil: epidemiological aspects.

Brazilian spotted fever (BSF) is the most important tick-borne disease in Brazil and is caused by Rickettsia rickettsii and transmitted by the Ixodid tick Amblyomma cajennense, its main vector. We present epidemiologic aspects of a case series of patients admitted to the Hospital das Clínicas da UNICAMP from 1985 to 2003 with a confirmed diagnosis of BSF either by a fourfold rise in indirect immunofluorescence (IFA) titers of IgG antibodies reactive with R. rickettsii or isolation of R. rickettsii from blood or skin specimens. Seasonal variation of case occurrence seems to be associated with the life cycle of the tick. The recent reemergence of cases seems to be associated with the growing numbers of the capybara (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris) and their expansion into urban areas.