Chikungunya virus infection in the southernmost state of Brazil was characterised by self-limited transmission (2017-2019) and a larger 2021 outbreak.

BACKGROUND: Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne virus that has been causing large outbreaks in the Americas since 2014. In Brazil, Asian-Caribbean (AC) and East-Central-South-African (ECSA) genotypes have been detected and lead to large outbreaks in several Brazilian states. In Rio Grande do Sul (RS), the southernmost state of Brazil, the first cases were reported in 2016. OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: We employed genome sequencing and epidemiological investigation to characterise the Chikungunya fever (CHIKF) burden in RS between 2017-2021. FINDINGS: We detected an increasing CHIKF burden linked to travel associated introductions and communitary transmission of distinct lineages of the ECSA genotype during this period. MAIN CONCLUSIONS: Until 2020, CHIKV introductions were most travel associated and transmission was limited. Then, in 2021, the largest outbreak occurred in the state associated with the introduction of a new ECSA lineage. CHIKV outbreaks are likely to occur in the near future due to abundant competent vectors and a susceptible population, exposing more than 11 million inhabitants to an increasing infection risk.

Chikungunya virus infection in the southernmost state of Brazil was characterised by self-limited transmission (2017-2019) and a larger 2021 outbreak

BACKGROUND Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne virus that has been causing large outbreaks in the Americas since 2014. In Brazil, Asian-Caribbean (AC) and East-Central-South-African (ECSA) genotypes have been detected and lead to large outbreaks in several Brazilian states. In Rio Grande do Sul (RS), the southernmost state of Brazil, the first cases were reported in 2016. OBJECTIVES AND METHODS We employed genome sequencing and epidemiological investigation to characterise the Chikungunya fever (CHIKF) burden in RS between 2017-2021. FINDINGS We detected an increasing CHIKF burden linked to travel associated introductions and communitary transmission of distinct lineages of the ECSA genotype during this period. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Until 2020, CHIKV introductions were most travel associated and transmission was limited. Then, in 2021, the largest outbreak occurred in the state associated with the introduction of a new ECSA lineage. CHIKV outbreaks are likely to occur in the near future due to abundant competent vectors and a susceptible population, exposing more than 11 million inhabitants to an increasing infection risk.

Epidemiological investigation reveals local transmission of SARS-CoV-2 lineage P. 1 in Southern Brazil / Investigação epidemiológica revela transmissão local da variante P. 1 do SARS-CoV-2 no Sul do Brasil / Una investigación epidemiológica revela la transmisión local de la variante P. 1 del SARS-CoV-2 en el sur de Brasil

Since its detection in December of 2020, the SARS-CoV2 lineage P.1, descendent of B.1.1.28 lineage, has been identified in several places in Brazil and abroad. This Variant of Concern was considered highly prevalent in Northern Brazil and now is rapidly widening its geographical range. Here, we present epidemiological and genomic information of the first case of P1 lineage in Rio Grande do Sul state, in a patient without reported travel history and a tracked transmission chain. These findings occurred in a tourist destination representing an important hub receiving tourists from diverse places.(AU)

Desde a sua detecção em dezembro de 2020, a linhagem P.1 do SARS-CoV2, descendente da linhagem B.1.1.28, foi identificada em diversos locais no Brasil e no mundo. Essa variante de preocupação era considerada altamente frequente no Norte do Brasil e agora está ampliando rapidamente sua distribuição geográfica. Aqui, apresentamos informações epidemiológicas e genômicas do primeiro caso da linhagem P.1 no Rio Grande do Sul em um paciente sem histórico de viagens relatado e com cadeia de transmissão identificada. Esses achados ocorreram em um destino turístico que representa um importante pólo de recepção de turistas de diversas localidades.(AU)

Desde su detección en diciembre de 2020, del linaje P.1 del SARS-CoV2, derivada de la B.1.1.28, hay sido ampliamente identificada en Brasil y en todo el mundo. Esta variante preocupante es muy frecuente en el norte de Brasil y ahora está ampliando rápidamente su distribución geográfica. Aquí, presentamos información epidemiológica y genómica del primer caso de P.1 en Rio Grande do Sul en un paciente sin antecedentes de viaje y con una cadena de transmisión identificada. Estos datos se han obtenido en un destino turístico que representa un importante centro de acogida de turistas de diferentes lugares.(AU)

Perfil da resposta terapêutica a medicamentos antirretrovirais envolvendo crianças e adolescentes infectados pelo HIV1 no Rio Grande do Sul / Profile of therapeutic response to antiretroviral drug treatment among HIV1?infected children and adolescents in Rio Grande do Sul

No fim da década de 80, muitas mulheres passaram a contrair o vírus HIV e este fato começou a delinear um novo perfil da epidemia da AIDS no Brasil. No entanto, muitos estudos sobre HIV/AIDS são realizados somente com a população adulta e dados sobre a infecção pediátrica ainda são bastante escassos. Este é um estudo transversal que objetiva traçar o perfil da resposta à terapia antirretroviral em uma população formada por crianças e adolescentes. Este trabalho foi desenvolvido por meio da análise dos resultados dos testes de genotipagem - disponíveis no banco de dados do Setor de Biologia Molecular do Laboratório Central do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (LACEN-RS). Por meio dos testes de genotipagem foi possível observar algumas mutações de resistência aos antirretrovirais. O subtipo B apresentou maior prevalência, seguido pelo subtipo C. As mutações que ocorreram com maior frequência foram D67N e V118I, pertencentes à classe de medicamentos Nucleosídeos Inibidores da Transcriptase Reversa (NRTI). Foi possível observar que alguns medicamentos apresentaram maiores níveis de resistência simples: Zidovudina e Lamivudina. A importância da identificação de mutações de resistência se faz relevante na escolha dos medicamentos que serão utilizados, aumentando assim, as chances de sucesso da terapia.

In the late 80s, many women began to contract the HIV virus; this fact began to change the profile of AIDS epidemic in Brazil. However, many studies of HIV/AIDS are performed only on the adult population and data on pediatric HIV infection are still quite scarce. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to outline the response of the HIV infection to antiretroviral therapy in a population composed of children and adolescents. The work involved analyzing the results of virus genotyping assays, available in the database of the Section of Molecular Biology of the Central State Laboratory of Rio Grande do Sul (LACEN-RS). Subtype B was the most prevalent, followed by subtype C. Through genotyping, it was possible to observe some antiretroviral resistance mutations. The mutations that occurred most frequently were D67N and V118I, which confer resistance to medications of the class of Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTI). The highest observed frequencies of resistance were to Zidovudine and Lamivudine. The identification of resistance mutations is of great relevance in the choice of drugs that will be used to treat a particular patient, to maximize the chance of a successful therapy.