Demographic and clinical characteristics of people diagnosed with active sexually transmitted infections among monkeypox cases in Brazil: the 2022 outbreak.

The worldwide monkeypox (mpox) outbreak in 2022 showed a high frequency of sexually transmitted infections (STI). A cross-sectional study was carried out using secondary data from the Brazilian official mpox surveillance systems. A total of 10,169 mpox cases were identified, with a median age of 32 years. Among them, 92.3% were male at birth and 57.5% were men who have sex with other men (MSM). Approximately 11% were diagnosed with STI, including 5.8% with syphilis and 2.5% with genital herpes. Individuals aged from 25 to 34 years, MSM, individuals with HIV-positive status, and those manifesting skin eruptions or penile edema were associated with STI. Laboratory investigation for mpox must be implemented as a priority in STI clinics (especially for MSM) to mitigate neglected cases, ensure appropriate treatments, and prevent misdiagnoses.

Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Mycoplasma genitalium and risk factors among pregnant women in Brazil: Results from the national molecular diagnosis implementation project.

BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a public health problem. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors associated with at least one STI (Chlamydia trachomatis [CT], Neisseria gonorrhoeae [NG], Trichomonas vaginalis [TV], and Mycoplasma genitalium [MG]) in Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using secondary data from the pilot implementation of the National Service for molecular diagnosis of CT, NG, TV, and MG in pregnancy. We obtained Ministry of Health surveillance data from the implementation project. Data encompassing pregnant women aged 15-49 years from public antenatal clinics in Brazil in 2022 were included. RESULTS: A total of 2728 data of pregnant women were analyzed. The prevalence of at least one infection was 21.0% (573), with the highest prevalence in the Southeast region (23.3%) and the lowest in the Center-West region (15.4%). The prevalence of CT was 9.9% (270), NG 0.6% (16), TV 6.7% (184), and MG 7.8% (212). Factors associated with any infection were from 15 to 24 years (AOR = 1.93; 95% CI: 1.58-2.35); reported family income up to US$400 (AOR = 1.79; 95% CI: 1.03-3.34); declared not living maritally with their partners (AOR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.52-2.37) and had more than one sexual partner in their lifetime (AOR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.55-2.86). CONCLUSION: This study showed a high prevalence of at least one STI among pregnant women in Brazil, particularly among younger women. It also provides up-to-date national data on CT, NG, TV, and MG infections in this population. These findings underscore the importance of enhancing access to STI screening for young pregnant women within the Brazilian public health system.

Subnational certification of elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and/or syphilis: a Brazilian experience report.

OBJECTIVE: to describe the subnational implementation process of the certification for elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and/or syphilis, its main barriers, challenges and opportunities. METHODS: in 2022, indicators from the last full year for impact targets and the last two full years for process targets, available in national information systems, were evaluated; descriptive reports were analyzed and actions were acknowledged within four thematic axes, according to PAHO/WHO recommendations. RESULTS: 43 municipalities ≥ 100,000 inhabitants were certified, covering 24.6 million inhabitants; one municipality achieved dual elimination (HIV-syphilis), 28 municipalities achieved elimination of HIV and 10 received silver tiers; regarding syphilis, one elimination was observed, along with 4 gold tiers, 13 silver tiers and 4 bronze tiers; a higher number of certifications was identified in the Southeast and South regions. CONCLUSION: barriers and challenges of the process were overcome through tripartite collaboration; the experience provided better integration of surveillance with care and improved actions aimed at preventing mother-to-child transmission. MAIN RESULTS: First experience of the sub-national process of certification of elimination of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV and/or syphilis at a global level. In 2022, 43 municipalities ≥ 100,000 inhabitants were certified, covering 24.6 million inhabitants. IMPLICATIONS FOR SERVICES: The experience of sub-national certification of the EMTCT was important in mobilizing the municipalities that engaged in its initiatives, worked to improve the quality of care and surveillance and emerging as the main proponents in the process. PERSPECTIVES: Through this ongoing and dynamic initiative, there is an anticipation of over 100 municipalities and states joining in 2023. Sub-national certification aims to enhance comprehensive care for pregnant women, in order to achieve national certification of EMTCT.

Subnational certification of elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and/or syphilis: a Brazilian experience report / Certificação subnacional da eliminação da transmissão vertical de HIV e/ou sífilis: relato da experiência brasileira / Certificación subnacional de la eliminación de la trasmisión vertical de VIH y/o sífilis: relato de la experiencia brasileña

Abstract Objective: to describe the subnational implementation process of the certification for elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and/or syphilis, its main barriers, challenges and opportunities. Methods: in 2022, indicators from the last full year for impact targets and the last two full years for process targets, available in national information systems, were evaluated; descriptive reports were analyzed and actions were acknowledged within four thematic axes, according to PAHO/WHO recommendations. Results: 43 municipalities ≥ 100,000 inhabitants were certified, covering 24.6 million inhabitants; one municipality achieved dual elimination (HIV-syphilis), 28 municipalities achieved elimination of HIV and 10 received silver tiers; regarding syphilis, one elimination was observed, along with 4 gold tiers, 13 silver tiers and 4 bronze tiers; a higher number of certifications was identified in the Southeast and South regions. Conclusion: barriers and challenges of the process were overcome through tripartite collaboration; the experience provided better integration of surveillance with care and improved actions aimed at preventing mother-to-child transmission.

Resumo Objetivo: descrever o processo de implantação subnacional da certificação da eliminação da transmissão vertical de HIV e/ou sífilis, suas principais barreiras, desafios e oportunidades. Métodos: em 2022, foram avaliados indicadores do último ano completo para meta de impacto, e dos dois últimos anos completos para metas de processo, disponíveis nos sistemas nacionais de informações; foram analisados relatórios descritivos e reconhecidas ações em quatro eixos temáticos, conforme recomendações da OPAS/OMS. Resultados: 43 municípios ≥ 100 mil habitantes foram certificados, abrangendo 24,6 milhões de habitantes; um município alcançou dupla eliminação (HIV-sífilis), 28 alcançaram eliminação para HIV e 10, selos prata; para sífilis, houve uma eliminação, 4 selos ouro, 13 prata e 4 bronze; identificou-se maior número de certificações nas regiões Sudeste e Sul. Conclusão: barreiras e desafios do processo foram superados pela colaboração tripartite; a experiência proporcionou melhor integração da vigilância com a assistência e qualificação das ações para prevenção da transmissão vertical.

Resumen Objetivo: describir el proceso de implementación subnacional de la certificación de eliminación de la transmisión vertical (TV) de sífilis y/o VIH, barreras, oportunidades y desafíos. Métodos: en 2022, se evaluaron indicadores del último año completo para la meta de impacto y de los dos últimos años para las de proceso en los sistemas de información; se analizaron informes descriptivos y se reconocieron acciones de cuatro ejes, según las recomendaciones de la OPS/OMS. Resultados: se certificaron 43 municipios ≥ 100.000 mil habitantes, cubriendo 24,6 millones de habitantes; un municipio logró la doble eliminación (VIH-sífilis), 28 la eliminación del VIH y 10 sellos plata; para sífilis, hubo una eliminación, 4 sellos oro, 13 plata y 4 bronce; las regiones Sudeste y Sur obtuvieron más certificaciones. Conclusión: barreras y desafíos fueron superados mediante la colaboración tripartita; la experiencia permitió la integración de la vigilancia con la atención y la cualificación de acciones para la prevención de la TV.

First Description of a Satellite DNA in Manatees' Centromeric Regions.

Trichechus manatus and Trichechus inunguis are the two Sirenia species that occur in the Americas. Despite their increasing extinction risk, many aspects of their biology remain understudied, including the repetitive DNA fraction of their genomes. Here we used the sequenced genome of T. manatus and TAREAN to identify satellite DNAs (satDNAs) in this species. We report the first description of TMAsat, a satDNA comprising ~0.87% of the genome, with ~684bp monomers and centromeric localization. In T. inunguis, TMAsat showed similar monomer length, chromosome localization and conserved CENP-B box-like motifs as in T. manatus. We also detected this satDNA in the Dugong dugon and in the now extinct Hydrodamalis gigas genomes. The neighbor-joining tree shows that TMAsat sequences from T. manatus, T. inunguis, D. dugon, and H. gigas lack species-specific clusters, which disagrees with the predictions of concerted evolution. We detected a divergent TMAsat-like homologous sequence in elephants and hyraxes, but not in other mammals, suggesting this sequence was already present in the common ancestor of Paenungulata, and later became a satDNA in the Sirenians. This is the first description of a centromeric satDNA in manatees and will facilitate the inclusion of Sirenia in future studies of centromeres and satDNA biology.

Structure, Organization, and Evolution of Satellite DNAs: Insights from the Drosophila repleta and D. virilis Species Groups.

The fact that satellite DNAs (satDNAs) in eukaryotes are abundant genomic components, can perform functional roles, but can also change rapidly across species while being homogenous within a species, makes them an intriguing and fascinating genomic component to study. It is also becoming clear that satDNAs represent an important piece in genome architecture and that changes in their structure, organization, and abundance can affect the evolution of genomes and species in many ways. Since the discovery of satDNAs more than 50 years ago, species from the Drosophila genus have continuously been used as models to study several aspects of satDNA biology. These studies have been largely concentrated in D. melanogaster and closely related species from the Sophophora subgenus, even though the vast majority of all Drosophila species belong to the Drosophila subgenus. This chapter highlights some studies on the satDNA structure, organization, and evolution in two species groups from the Drosophila subgenus: the repleta and virilis groups. We also discuss and review the classification of other abundant tandem repeats found in these species in the light of the current information available.

Publisher Correction: Characterization of Satellite DNAs in Squirrel Monkeys genus Saimiri (Cebidae, Platyrrhini).

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Characterization of Satellite DNAs in Squirrel Monkeys genus Saimiri (Cebidae, Platyrrhini).

The genus Saimiri is a decades-long taxonomic and phylogenetic puzzle to which cytogenetics has contributed crucial data. All Saimiri species apparently have a diploid number of 2n = 44 but vary in the number of chromosome arms. Repetitive sequences such as satellite DNAs are potentially informative cytogenetic markers because they display high evolutionary rates. Our goal is to increase the pertinent karyological data by more fully characterizing satellite DNA sequences in the Saimiri genus. We were able to identify two abundant satellite DNAs, alpha (~340 bp) and CapA (~1,500 bp), from short-read clustering of sequencing datasets from S. boliviensis. The alpha sequences comprise about 1% and the CapA 2.2% of the S. boliviensis genome. We also mapped both satellite DNAs in S. boliviensis, S. sciureus, S. vanzolinii, and S. ustus. The alpha has high interspecific repeat homogeneity and was mapped to the centromeres of all analyzed species. CapA is associated with non-pericentromeric heterochromatin and its distribution varies among Saimiri species. We conclude that CapA genomic distribution and its pervasiveness across Platyrrhini makes it an attractive cytogenetic marker for Saimiri and other New World monkeys.

An eutherian intronic sequence gave rise to a major satellite DNA in Platyrrhini.

Satellite DNAs (satDNAs) are major components of eukaryote genomes. However, because of their quick divergence, the evolutionary origin of a given satDNA family can rarely be determined. Herein we took advantage of available primate sequenced genomes to determine the origin of the CapA satDNA (approx. 1500 bp long monomers), first described in the tufted capuchin monkey Sapajus apella We show that CapA is an abundant satDNA in Platyrrhini, whereas in the genomes of most eutherian mammals, including humans, this sequence is present only as a single copy located within a large intron of the NOS1AP (nitric oxide synthase 1 adaptor protein) gene. Our data suggest that this intronic CapA-like sequence gave rise to the CapA satDNA and we discuss possible mechanisms implicated in this event. This is the first report to our knowledge of a single copy intronic sequence giving origin to a satDNA that reaches up to 100 000 copies in some genomes.

Identification and characterization of a subtelomeric satellite DNA in Callitrichini monkeys.

Repetitive DNAs are abundant fast-evolving components of eukaryotic genomes, which often possess important structural and functional roles. Despite their ubiquity, repetitive DNAs are poorly studied when compared with the genic fraction of genomes. Here, we took advantage of the availability of the sequenced genome of the common marmoset Callithrix jacchus to assess its satellite DNAs (satDNAs) and their distribution in Callitrichini. After clustering analysis of all reads and comparisons by similarity, we identified a satDNA composed by 171 bp motifs, named MarmoSAT, which composes 1.09% of the C. jacchus genome. Fluorescent in situ hybridization on chromosomes of species from the genera Callithrix, Mico and Callimico showed that MarmoSAT had a subtelomeric location. In addition to the common monomeric, we found that MarmoSAT was also organized in higher-order repeats of 338 bp in Callimico goeldii. Our phylogenetic analyses showed that MarmoSAT repeats from C. jacchus lack chromosome-specific features, suggesting exchange events among subterminal regions of non-homologous chromosomes. MarmoSAT is transcribed in several tissues of C. jacchus, with the highest transcription levels in spleen, thymus and heart. The transcription profile and subtelomeric location suggest that MarmoSAT may be involved in the regulation of telomerase and modulation of telomeric chromatin.

High-throughput analysis of the satellitome revealed enormous diversity of satellite DNAs in the neo-Y chromosome of the cricket Eneoptera surinamensis.

Satellite DNAs (satDNAs) constitute large portion of eukaryote genomes, comprising non-protein-coding sequences tandemly repeated. They are mostly found in heterochromatic regions of chromosomes such as around centromere or near telomeres, in intercalary heterochromatin, and often in non-recombining segments of sex chromosomes. We examined the satellitome in the cricket Eneoptera surinamensis (2n = 9, neo-X1X2Y, males) to characterize the molecular evolution of its neo-sex chromosomes. To achieve this, we analyzed illumina reads using graph-based clustering and complementary analyses. We found an unusually high number of 45 families of satDNAs, ranging from 4 bp to 517 bp, accounting for about 14% of the genome and showing different modular structures and high diversity of arrays. FISH mapping revealed that satDNAs are located mostly in C-positive pericentromeric regions of the chromosomes. SatDNAs enrichment was also observed in the neo-sex chromosomes in comparison to autosomes. Especially astonishing accumulation of satDNAs loci was found in the highly differentiated neo-Y, including 39 satDNAs over-represented in this chromosome, which is the greatest satDNAs diversity yet reported for sex chromosomes. Our results suggest possible involvement of satDNAs in genome increasing and in molecular differentiation of the neo-sex chromosomes in this species, contributing to the understanding of sex chromosome composition and evolution in Orthoptera.