SARS-CoV-2 Reinfection Cases in a Household-Based Prospective Cohort in Rio de Janeiro.

This was a household-based prospective cohort study conducted in Rio de Janeiro, in which people with laboratory-confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and their household contacts were followed from April 2020 through June 2022. Ninety-eight reinfections were identified, with 71 (72.5%) confirmed by genomic analyses and lineage definition in both infections. During the pre-Omicron period, 1 dose of any COVID-19 vaccine was associated with a reduced risk of reinfection, but during the Omicron period not even booster vaccines had this effect. Most reinfections were asymptomatic or milder in comparison with primary infections, a justification for continuing active surveillance to detect infections in vaccinated individuals. Our findings demonstrated that vaccination may not prevent infection or reinfection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2). Therefore we highlight the need to continuously update the antigenic target of SARS CoV-2 vaccines and administer booster doses to the population regularly, a strategy well established in the development of vaccines for influenza immunization programs.

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.).

Clinical and Laboratory Factors Associated with Severe Dengue: A Case-Control Study of Hospitalized Children.

Background: More than half of the hospitalizations because of dengue in Brazil occurred in children <15 years of age in 2007 and 2008, an unexpected change in the epidemiological pattern. We sought to determine clinical and laboratory parameters associated with severity. Methods: A case-control study was conducted in three pediatric hospitals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; 233 laboratory-confirmed dengue patients were included: 69 cases and 164 controls. Specific clinical and laboratory factors were assessed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Results: Lethargy [adjusted odds ratio (ORa): 9.15, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.08-27.12], dyspnea (ORa: 8.24, 95% CI: 3.27-20.72) and abdominal pain (ORa: 6.78, 95% CI: 1.44-31.84) were independently associated with severe dengue in children. Lethargy and dyspnea presented as early as 72 and 48 h, respectively, before shock. Conclusions: Abdominal pain and lethargy confirmed their role as warning signs, which along with dyspnea might be helpful in identifying cases progressing to severe dengue.

High-Risk Areas for Congenital Zika Syndrome in Rio de Janeiro: Spatial Cluster Detection.

Brazil reported 18,282 suspected congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) cases up to 2018 and accounts for 61.4% of the total reported Zika cases in the Americas in the period. To detect high-risk areas for children with CZS in the city of Rio de Janeiro, we used cluster detection and thematic maps. We analyzed data using a Poisson model in Satscan 10.1.3 software. We also analyzed the records of children with CZS from 2015 to 2016 to describe the clinical and epidemiological maternal and child profile, as well as live births in 2016 and the social development index (SDI) by neighborhood. In 2015 and 2016, the incidence rates of CZS were 8.84 and 46.96 per 100,000 live births in the city, respectively. Severe congenital findings such as microcephaly and brain damage, osteoarticular impairment, ocular abnormalities, and hearing loss were observed in 47 children. The spatial distribution of CZS was concentrated in the north and west zones in heterogeneous neighborhoods. The neighborhoods with the highest occurrence of CZS cases were found to have the worst SDIs. Stascan detected three spatial clusters in the north zone, where the SDI is lower. The clusters presented high relative risks for CZS (7.86, 1.46, and 2.08), although they were not statistically significant. Our findings highlight a higher occurrence of CZS in areas with less favorable socioeconomic conditions.

Severe maternal morbidity and mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cohort study in Rio de Janeiro.

Objectives: To identify factors associated with adverse maternal outcomes during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: This was a single-centre prospective cohort study at a maternity department in a public general hospital in Rio de Janeiro. All pregnant women evaluated for emergency care, labour and delivery, respiratory symptoms, obstetric reasons or medical reasons between May 2020 and March 2022 at the study institution were invited to enrol in this study. The endpoint was maternal mortality or intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Results: In total, 1609 pregnant women were enrolled in this study. Of these, 25.5% (n=410) were infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) based on reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction or an antigen test. There were 21 deaths and 67 ICU admissions in 4% of the cohort. The incidence of severe maternal morbidity and mortality was higher during the Gamma wave than during the Delta wave (P=0.003). Vaccination conferred protection against the endpoint [relative risk (RR) 0.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.1-0.9; P=0.0169]. Factors associated with severe morbidity and mortality included caesarean section (RR 3.7, 95% CI 1.7-7.9; P=0.0008), SARS-CoV-2 infection in the third trimester (RR 2.4, 95% CI 1.1-5.6; P=0.0006) and comorbidities (RR 3, 95% CI 1.8-5.2; P<0.0001). Conclusions: COVID-19 was significantly associated with the risk of severe maternal morbidity and mortality. Immunization of pregnant women against COVID-19 was highly protective against adverse outcomes, and should be encouraged during pregnancy.

Ambulatory and hospitalized patients with suspected and confirmed mpox: an observational cohort study from Brazil.

Background: By October 30, 2022, 76,871 cases of mpox were reported worldwide, with 20,614 cases in Latin America. This study reports characteristics of a case series of suspected and confirmed mpox cases at a referral infectious diseases center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Methods: This was a single-center, prospective, observational cohort study that enrolled all patients with suspected mpox between June 12 and August 19, 2022. Mpox was confirmed by a PCR test. We compared characteristics of confirmed and non-confirmed cases, and among confirmed cases according to HIV status using distribution tests. Kernel estimation was used for exploratory spatial analysis. Findings: Of 342 individuals with suspected mpox, 208 (60.8%) were confirmed cases. Compared to non-confirmed cases, confirmed cases were more frequent among individuals aged 30-39 years, cisgender men (96.2% vs. 66.4%; p < 0.0001), reporting recent sexual intercourse (95.0% vs. 69.4%; p < 0.0001) and using PrEP (31.6% vs. 10.1%; p < 0.0001). HIV (53.2% vs. 20.2%; p < 0.0001), HCV (9.8% vs. 1.1%; p = 0.0046), syphilis (21.2% vs. 16.3%; p = 0.43) and other STIs (33.0% vs. 21.6%; p = 0.042) were more frequent among confirmed mpox cases. Confirmed cases presented more genital (77.3% vs. 39.8%; p < 0.0001) and anal lesions (33.1% vs. 11.5%; p < 0.0001), proctitis (37.1% vs. 13.3%; p < 0.0001) and systemic signs and symptoms (83.2% vs. 64.5%; p = 0.0003) than non-confirmed cases. Compared to confirmed mpox HIV-negative, HIV-positive individuals were older, had more HCV coinfection (15.2% vs. 3.7%; p = 0.011), anal lesions (45.7% vs. 20.5%; p < 0.001) and clinical features of proctitis (45.2% vs. 29.3%; p = 0.058). Interpretation: Mpox transmission in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, rapidly evolved into a local epidemic, with sexual contact playing a crucial role in its dynamics and high rates of coinfections with other STI. Preventive measures must address stigma and social vulnerabilities. Funding: Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (INI-Fiocruz).

COVID-19 and zoonoses in Brazil: Environmental scan of one health preparedness and response.

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic reinforced the central role of the One Health (OH) approach, as a multisectoral and multidisciplinary perspective, to tackle health threats at the human-animal-environment interface. This study assessed Brazilian preparedness and response to COVID-19 and zoonoses with a focus on the OH approach and equity dimensions. We conducted an environmental scan using a protocol developed as part of a multi-country study. The article selection process resulted in 45 documents: 79 files and 112 references on OH; 41 files and 81 references on equity. The OH and equity aspects are poorly represented in the official documents regarding the COVID-19 response, either at the federal and state levels. Brazil has a governance infrastructure that allows for the response to infectious diseases, including zoonoses, as well as the fight against antimicrobial resistance through the OH approach. However, the response to the pandemic did not fully utilize the resources of the Brazilian state, due to the lack of central coordination and articulation among the sectors involved. Brazil is considered an area of high risk for emergence of zoonoses mainly due to climate change, large-scale deforestation and urbanization, high wildlife biodiversity, wide dry frontier, and poor control of wild animals' traffic. Therefore, encouraging existing mechanisms for collaboration across sectors and disciplines, with the inclusion of vulnerable populations, is required for making a multisectoral OH approach successful in the country.

Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome after reinfection and vaccine breakthrough by the SARS-CoV-2 Gamma variant in Brazil.

We describe a case of prolonged COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 Gamma variant in a fully vaccinated healthcare worker, 387 days after an infection caused by lineage B.1.1.33. Infections were confirmed by whole-genome sequencing and corroborated by the detection of neutralizing antibodies in convalescent serum samples. Considering the permanent exposure of this healthcare worker to SARS-CoV-2, the waning immunity after the first infection, the low efficacy of the inactivated vaccine at preventing COVID-19, the immune escape of the Gamma variant (VOC), and the burden of post-COVID syndrome, this individual would have benefited from an additional dose of a heterologous vaccine.

Spontaneous Abortion and Chikungunya Infection: Pathological Findings.

Intrauterine transmission of the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) during early pregnancy has rarely been reported, although vertical transmission has been observed in newborns. Here, we report four cases of spontaneous abortion in women who became infected with CHIKV between the 11th and 17th weeks of pregnancy. Laboratorial confirmation of the infection was conducted by RT-PCR on a urine sample for one case, and the other three were by detection of IgM anti-CHIKV antibodies. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and an electron microscopy assay allowed us to find histopathological, such as inflammatory infiltrate in the decidua and chorionic villi, as well as areas of calcification, edema and the deposition of fibrinoid material, and ultrastructural changes, such as mitochondria with fewer cristae and ruptured membranes, endoplasmic reticulum with dilated cisterns, dispersed chromatin in the nuclei and the presence of an apoptotic body in case 1. In addition, by immunohistochemistry (IHC), we found a positivity for the anti-CHIKV antibody in cells of the endometrial glands, decidual cells, syncytiotrophoblasts, cytotrophoblasts, Hofbauer cells and decidual macrophages. Electron microscopy also helped in identifying virus-like particles in the aborted material with a diameter of 40-50 nm, which was consistent with the size of CHIKV particles in the literature. Our findings in this study suggest early maternal fetal transmission, adding more evidence on the role of CHIKV in fetal death.

Data quality and arbovirus infection associated factors in pregnant and non-pregnant women of childbearing age in Brazil: A surveillance database analysis.

The dengue surveillance system in Brazil has registered changes in the disease's morbidity and mortality profile over successive epidemics. Vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women, have been particularly hard hit. This study assessed the quality of notifications of dengue cases among pregnant women and non-pregnant women of childbearing age in Brazil, in addition to discussing the factors associated with arbovirus infection in the group of pregnant women. We carried out a retrospective study of cases registered in the national arbovirus surveillance system between 2007 and 2017. The indicator for assessing quality was incompleteness. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between dengue during pregnancy and sociodemographic, epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory variables. The incompleteness of the data in the notification form for dengue cases in women of childbearing age and pregnant women indicates a significant loss of information. Dengue was shown to be positively associated with Social Determinants of Health in both groups, with more severe effects among pregnant women. The incompleteness of the data can limit the quality of information from the notification system and the national assessment of the situation of the disease in women of childbearing age and pregnant women.

Congenital Zika syndrome: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The signs and symptoms of Zika virus infection are usually mild and self-limited. However, the disease has been linked to neurological complications such as Guillain-Barré syndrome and peripheral nerve involvement, and also to abortion and fetal deaths due to vertical transmission, resulting in various congenital malformations in newborns, including microcephaly. This review aimed to describe the o signs and symptoms that characterize the congenital Zika syndrome. METHODS AND FINDINGS: A systematic review was performed with a protocol and described according to the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. The search strategy yielded 2,048 studies. After the exclusion of duplicates and application of inclusion criteria, 46 studies were included. The main signs and symptoms associated with the congenital Zika syndrome were microcephaly, parenchymal or cerebellar calcifications, ventriculomegaly, central nervous system hypoplasia or atrophy, arthrogryposis, ocular findings in the posterior and anterior segments, abnormal visual function and low birthweight for gestational age. CONCLUSIONS: Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause a series of changes in the growth and development of children, while impacting the healthcare system due to the severity of cases. Our findings outline the disease profile in newborns and infants and may contribute to the development and updating of more specific clinical protocols.

COVID-19: a meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy of commercial assays registered in Brazil.

The accuracy of commercially available tests for COVID-19 in Brazil remains unclear. We aimed to perform a meta-analysis to describe the accuracy of available tests to detect COVID-19 in Brazil. We searched at the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA) online platform to describe the pooled sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) and summary receiver operating characteristic curves (SROC) for detection of IgM/IgG antibodies and for tests using naso/oropharyngeal swabs in the random-effects models. We identified 16 tests registered, mostly rapid-tests. Pooled diagnostic accuracy measures [95%CI] were: (i) for IgM antibodies Se=82% [76-87]; Sp=97% [96-98]; DOR=168 [92-305] and SROC=0.98 [0.96-0.99]; (ii) for IgG antibodies Se=97% [90-99]; Sp=98% [97-99]; DOR=1994 [385-10334] and SROC=0.99 [0.98-1.00]; and (iii) for detection of SARS-CoV-2 by antigen or molecular assays in naso/oropharyngeal swabs Se=97% [85-99]; Sp=99% [77-100]; DOR=2649 [30-233056] and SROC=0.99 [0.98-1.00]. These tests can be helpful for emergency testing during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. However, it is important to highlight the high rate of false negative results from tests which detect SARS-CoV-2 IgM antibodies in the initial course of the disease and the scarce evidence-based validation results published in Brazil. Future studies addressing the diagnostic performance of tests for COVID-19 in the Brazilian population are urgently needed.

Access to health care facilities of suspected dengue patients in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. / Acesso aos serviços de saúde por pacientes com suspeita de dengue na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.

Rio de Janeiro maintains a recurrent history of dengue epidemics. There is scarce evidence about the route of the population to get health care. The study aimed to describe the pattern of suspected dengue patients flow in search of health care services in Rio de Janeiro. The following data were analyzed: dengue reports from 2011 to 2013; the neighborhoods of patient's residence; the neighborhoods of health services. Neighborhoods of the city were used as unit of analysis focusing on access to health facilities of municipal Planning Area (AP) 3.3. Flow maps were elaborated to describe the routes between the neighborhood of residence and the heath service. Between 2011 and 2013 48,576 suspected dengue cases living in program area 3.3 were reported, 72% got health care in the AP 3.3, 37% of which in primary care. A total of 12,545 suspected cases attended health facilities outside the AP 3.3. A great geographical variation was observed in the search for Primary Care within the AP 3.3, as well as a relevant movement to the center and south zone of the city on access to care, comprising 2,647 different flows. The findings indicate a large flow within the municipality.

O Rio de Janeiro mantém histórico recorrente de epidemias de dengue. Não há suficientes evidências acerca do percurso da população em busca de atendimento. O estudo visou investigar o padrão de deslocamento dos residentes do Rio de Janeiro com suspeita de dengue para atendimento nos serviços de saúde. Foram analisadas as notificações de dengue e utilizados os bairros da cidade como unidade de análise com enfoque no acesso às unidades de saúde da área de planejamento (AP) 3.3 e elaborados mapas de fluxo entre bairro de residência e unidade de atendimento. Foram notificados 48.576 residentes com suspeita de dengue no período de 2011 a 2013, 72% atendidos na AP 3.3: 37% na atenção primária e 73% em unidades de atenção secundária ou terciária; 12.545 foram atendidos em unidades fora da AP 3.3. Os resultados evidenciam uma grande variação geográfica na busca pelo atendimento na Atenção Primária dentro da própria AP 3.3 e um relevante deslocamento para unidades localizadas em bairros mais distantes, principalmente para o centro e zona sul, com 2.647 diferentes fluxos. Os achados apontam para um grande deslocamento dentro do município.

A populational-based birth cohort study in a low-income urban area in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: implementation and description of the characteristics of the study.

A comprehensive cohort study including an entomological surveillance component can contribute to our knowledge of clinical aspects and transmission patterns of arbovirosis. This article describes the implementation of a populational-based birth cohort study that included an entomological surveillance component, and its associated challenges in a low-income community of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The participants were recruited in two periods: from 2012 to 2014, and from 2015 to 2017. The children had scheduled pediatric consultations and in case of fever. Epidemiological, clinical data and biological samples were collected at pediatric visits. Active febrile surveillance was performed by telephone calls, social networking, message apps, and household visits. A total of 387 newborns and 332 new children were included during the first and second recruitment periods, respectively. By July 2017, there were 451 children on follow-up. During the study, 2,759 pediatric visits were performed: 1,783 asymptomatic and 976 febrile/rash consultations. The number of febrile or rash consultations increased 3.5-fold after the use of media tools for surveillance. No temporal pattern, seasonality or peak of febrile cases was observed during the study period. A total of 10,105 adult mosquitoes (including 3,523 Aedes spp. and 6,582 Culex quinquefasciatus) and 46,047 Aedes eggs were collected from households, schools, and key sites. Although challenging, this structured sentinel populational-based birth cohort is relevant to the knowledge of risks and awareness of emerging pathogens.

Treatment of chikungunya musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Chikungunya virus is amongst the fastest expanding vector transmissible diseases in recent years and has been causing massive epidemics in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. Despite human infection by this virus being first described in the 1950s, there is a lack of adequate therapeutic evaluations to guide evidence-based recommendations. The current guidelines rely heavily in specialists' opinion and experience instead of using higher rated evidence. Areas covered: A systematic review of the literature was performed- not restricted to clinical trials - reporting the therapeutic response against this infection with the intent to gather the best evidence of the treatment options against musculoskeletal disorders following chikungunya fever. The 15 studies included in the analysis were categorized considering the initiation of treatment during the acute, subacute and chronic phase. Expert commentary: This review demonstrates the complexity of chikungunya fever and difficulty of therapeutic management. This review found no current evidence-based treatment recommendations for the musculoskeletal disorders following chikungunya fever. To provide an optimal treatment that prevents perpetuation or progression of chikungunya infection to a potentially destructive and permanent condition without causing more harm is an aim that must be pursued by researchers and health professionals working with this disease.

Zika Virus Infection and Differential Diagnosis in a Cohort of HIV-Infected Patients.

BACKGROUND: Zika virus (ZIKV) emergence in South America revealed the lack of knowledge regarding clinical manifestations in HIV-infected individuals. OBJECTIVES: We described the clinical characteristics, laboratory manifestations, differential diagnosis, and outcome of ZIKV infection in a large, single-center cohort of HIV-infected patients. METHODS: HIV-infected patients aged 18 years and older with clinical suspected arboviral disease from an ongoing cohort were followed from February 2015 through December 2015. Acute serum samples were tested for ZIKV, dengue virus (DENV), and chikungunya virus by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, anti-DENV immunoglobulin (Ig)M/IgG, and syphilis assays; convalescent samples were tested for anti-DENV IgM/IgG; and urine samples were tested for ZIKV by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. ZIKV disease was defined according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) guidelines. RESULTS: Of 101 patients, ZIKV was confirmed in 43 cases and suspected in 34, and another diagnosis was assumed for 24 patients (dengue, secondary/latent syphilis, respiratory infections, human parvovirus B19, adverse drug reaction, musculoskeletal disorders, and acute gastroenteritis). ZIKV-confirmed and ZIKV-suspected patients reported similar signs and symptoms. Pruritic rash was the most common symptom, followed by myalgia, nonpurulent conjunctivitis, arthralgia, prostration, and headache. In the short-term follow-up [median 67.5 days (interquartile range: 32-104.5)], CD4 cell count (Z = -0.831, P = 0.406) and HIV viral load (Z = -0.447, P = 0.655) did not change significantly after ZIKV infection. There were no hospitalizations, complications, or deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Among HIV-infected patients with suspected arboviral disease, 42.6% were ZIKV-infected. CD4 cell counts and HIV viral load were not different after ZIKV infection. Differential diagnosis with other diseases and adverse drug reaction should be evaluated.

Accuracy of Zika virus disease case definition during simultaneous Dengue and Chikungunya epidemics.

BACKGROUND: Zika is a new disease in the American continent and its surveillance is of utmost importance, especially because of its ability to cause neurological manifestations as Guillain-Barré syndrome and serious congenital malformations through vertical transmission. The detection of suspected cases by the surveillance system depends on the case definition adopted. As the laboratory diagnosis of Zika infection still relies on the use of expensive and complex molecular techniques with low sensitivity due to a narrow window of detection, most suspected cases are not confirmed by laboratory tests, mainly reserved for pregnant women and newborns. In this context, an accurate definition of a suspected Zika case is crucial in order for the surveillance system to gauge the magnitude of an epidemic. METHODOLOGY: We evaluated the accuracy of various Zika case definitions in a scenario where Dengue and Chikungunya viruses co-circulate. Signs and symptoms that best discriminated PCR confirmed Zika from other laboratory confirmed febrile or exanthematic diseases were identified to propose and test predictive models for Zika infection based on these clinical features. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Our derived score prediction model had the best performance because it demonstrated the highest sensitivity and specificity, 86·6% and 78·3%, respectively. This Zika case definition also had the highest values for auROC (0·903) and R2 (0·417), and the lowest Brier score 0·096. CONCLUSIONS: In areas where multiple arboviruses circulate, the presence of rash with pruritus or conjunctival hyperemia, without any other general clinical manifestations such as fever, petechia or anorexia is the best Zika case definition.

Zika Virus Outbreak in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Clinical Characterization, Epidemiological and Virological Aspects.

BACKGROUND: In 2015, Brazil was faced with the cocirculation of three arboviruses of major public health importance. The emergence of Zika virus (ZIKV) presents new challenges to both clinicians and public health authorities. Overlapping clinical features between diseases caused by ZIKV, Dengue (DENV) and Chikungunya (CHIKV) and the lack of validated serological assays for ZIKV make accurate diagnosis difficult. METHODOLOGY / PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The outpatient service for acute febrile illnesses in Fiocruz initiated a syndromic clinical observational study in 2007 to capture unusual presentations of DENV infections. In January 2015, an increase of cases with exanthematic disease was observed. Trained physicians evaluated the patients using a detailed case report form that included clinical assessment and laboratory investigations. The laboratory diagnostic algorithm included assays for detection of ZIKV, CHIKV and DENV. 364 suspected cases of Zika virus disease were identified based on clinical criteria between January and July 2015. Of these, 262 (71.9%) were tested and 119 (45.4%) were confirmed by the detection of ZIKV RNA. All of the samples with sequence information available clustered within the Asian genotype. CONCLUSIONS / SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first report of a ZIKV outbreak in the state of Rio de Janeiro, based on a large number of suspected (n = 364) and laboratory confirmed cases (n = 119). We were able to demonstrate that ZIKV was circulating in Rio de Janeiro as early as January 2015. The peak of the outbreak was documented in May/June 2015. More than half of the patients reported headache, arthralgia, myalgia, non-purulent conjunctivitis, and lower back pain, consistent with the case definition of suspected ZIKV disease issued by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). However, fever, when present, was low-intensity and short-termed. In our opinion, pruritus, the second most common clinical sign presented by the confirmed cases, should be added to the PAHO case definition, while fever could be given less emphasis. The emergence of ZIKV as a new pathogen for Brazil in 2015 underscores the need for clinical vigilance and strong epidemiological and laboratory surveillance.

Dengue in children: a systematic review of clinical and laboratory factors associated with severity.

Dengue is a potentially life-threatening illness, and children are at higher risk of severity. This review aimed to systematize the identified clinical and laboratory parameters associated with severe dengue in children, as monitoring these signs and fluid-replacement therapy are actually the cornerstones of dengue treatment. Of the 527 studies initially reviewed, 21 were selected as follows: three cohort studies, three case-control studies, 14 cross-sectional studies and one not defined. Eighteen studies were carried out in Asia and three in the Americas. Hepatomegaly, lethargy, abdominal pain, bleeding, hemoconcentration and thrombocytopenia, all referenced as warning signs in the WHO 2009 Guidelines, were the clinical and laboratory parameters independently associated with severity in more than one study. The recognition of these known warning signs associated to severe dengue disease underlines the usefulness of the WHO 2009 classification.

COVID-19: a meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy of commercial assays registered in Brazil

ABSTRACT The accuracy of commercially available tests for COVID-19 in Brazil remains unclear. We aimed to perform a meta-analysis to describe the accuracy of available tests to detect COVID-19 in Brazil. We searched at the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA) online platform to describe the pooled sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) and summary receiver operating characteristic curves (SROC) for detection of IgM/IgG antibodies and for tests using naso/oropharyngeal swabs in the random-effects models. We identified 16 tests registered, mostly rapid-tests. Pooled diagnostic accuracy measures [95%CI] were: (i) for IgM antibodies Se = 82% [76-87]; Sp = 97% [96-98]; DOR = 168 [92-305] and SROC = 0.98 [0.96-0.99]; (ii) for IgG antibodies Se = 97% [90-99]; Sp = 98% [97-99]; DOR = 1994 [385-10334] and SROC = 0.99 [0.98-1.00]; and (iii) for detection of SARS-CoV-2 by antigen or molecular assays in naso/oropharyngeal swabs Se = 97% [85-99]; Sp = 99% [77-100]; DOR = 2649 [30-233056] and SROC = 0.99 [0.98-1.00]. These tests can be helpful for emergency testing during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. However, it is important to highlight the high rate of false negative results from tests which detect SARS-CoV-2 IgM antibodies in the initial course of the disease and the scarce evidence-based validation results published in Brazil. Future studies addressing the diagnostic performance of tests for COVID-19 in the Brazilian population are urgently needed.