Combination of surveillance tools reveals that Yellow Fever virus can remain in the same Atlantic Forest area at least for three transmission seasons.

BACKGROUND: In Brazil, the Yellow Fever virus (YFV) is endemic in the Amazon, from where it eventually expands into epidemic waves. Coastal south-eastern (SE) Brazil, which has been a YFV-free region for eight decades, has reported a severe sylvatic outbreak since 2016. The virus spread from the north toward the south of the Rio de Janeiro (RJ) state, causing 307 human cases with 105 deaths during the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 transmission seasons. It is unclear, however, whether the YFV would persist in the coastal Atlantic Forest of RJ during subsequent transmission seasons. OBJECTIVES: To conduct a real-time surveillance and assess the potential persistence of YFV in the coastal Atlantic Forest of RJ during the 2018-2019 transmission season. METHODS: We combined epizootic surveillance with fast diagnostic and molecular, phylogenetic, and evolutionary analyses. FINDINGS: Using this integrative strategy, we detected the first evidence of YFV re-emergence in the third transmission season (2018-2019) in a dying howler monkey from the central region of the RJ state. The YFV detected in 2019 has the molecular signature associated with the current SE YFV outbreak and exhibited a close phylogenetic relationship with the YFV lineage that circulated in the same Atlantic Forest fragment during the past seasons. This lineage circulated along the coastal side of the Serra do Mar mountain chain, and its evolution seems to be mainly driven by genetic drift. The potential bridge vector Aedes albopictus was found probing on the recently dead howler monkey in the forest edge, very close to urban areas. MAIN CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, our data revealed that YFV transmission persisted at the same Atlantic Forest area for at least three consecutive transmission seasons without the need of new introductions. Our real-time surveillance strategy permitted health authorities to take preventive actions within 48 h after the detection of the sick non-human primate. The local virus persistence and the proximity of the epizootic forest to urban areas reinforces the concern with regards to the risk of re-urbanisation and seasonal re-emergence of YFV, stressing the need for continuous effective surveillance and high vaccination coverage in the SE region, particularly in RJ, an important tourist location.

Genomic and structural features of the yellow fever virus from the 2016-2017 Brazilian outbreak.

Southeastern Brazil has been suffering a rapid expansion of a severe sylvatic yellow fever virus (YFV) outbreak since late 2016, which has reached one of the most populated zones in Brazil and South America, heretofore a yellow fever-free zone for more than 70 years. In the current study, we describe the complete genome of 12 YFV samples from mosquitoes, humans and non-human primates from the Brazilian 2017 epidemic. All of the YFV sequences belong to the modern lineage (sub-lineage 1E) of South American genotype I, having been circulating for several months prior to the December 2016 detection. Our data confirm that viral strains associated with the most severe YF epidemic in South America in the last 70 years display unique amino acid substitutions that are mainly located in highly conserved positions in non-structural proteins. Our data also corroborate that YFV has spread southward into Rio de Janeiro state following two main sylvatic dispersion routes that converged at the border of the great metropolitan area comprising nearly 12 million unvaccinated inhabitants. Our original results can help public health authorities to guide the surveillance, prophylaxis and control measures required to face such a severe epidemiological problem. Finally, it will also inspire other workers to further investigate the epidemiological and biological significance of the amino acid polymorphisms detected in the Brazilian 2017 YFV strains.

Spatio-Temporal Cluster Detection of Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika Viruses' Infection in Rio de Janeiro State from 2010 to 2019.

Dengue (DENV), chikungunya (CHIKV), and Zika (ZIKV) virus infections are widespread throughout the Rio de Janeiro state. The co-circulation of these emergent arboviruses constitutes a serious public health problem, resulting in outbreaks that can spatially and temporally overlap. Environmental conditions favor the presence, maintenance, and expansion of Aedes aegypti, the primary vector of these urban arboviruses. This study assessed the detection of clusters of urban arboviruses in the Rio de Janeiro state from 2010 to 2019. Notified cases of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika were grouped by year according to the onset of symptoms and their municipality of residence. The study period recorded the highest number of dengue epidemics in the state along with the simultaneous circulation of chikungunya and Zika viruses. The analyzes showed that the central municipalities of the metropolitan regions were associated with higher risk areas. Central municipalities in metropolitan regions were the first most likely clusters for dengue and Zika, and the second most likely cluster for chikungunya. Furthermore, the northwest and north regions were comprised clusters with the highest relative risk for the three arboviruses, underscoring the impact of these arboviruses in less densely populated regions of Brazil. The identification of high-risk areas over time highlights the need for effective control measures, targeted prevention and control interventions for these urban arboviral diseases.

[Religious-spiritual coping and the consumption of alcoholic beverages in male patients with liver disease]. / Coping religioso-espiritual e consumo de alcoólicos em hepatopatas do sexo masculino.

This cross-sectional study was performed with the objective to evaluate the use of Religious Spiritual Coping (RSC) and verify its relationship with the pattern of alcoholic beverage consumption in patients attending a liver disease outpatient clinic between April and December of 2009, using the CAGE, AUDIT and RSC Scale. Associations were observed between negative religious-spiritual coping (NRSC) and the consumption of alcoholic beverages over the last year and with the resulting combination. Subjects identified as negative CAGE with low-risk consumption over the last year had a frequency above the expected in the category below the median. Those identified as positive CAGE with moderate-risk consumption were relatively more frequent in the category above the median (p=0.017). Results reinforce the relevance of the NRSC in the evaluation of health-related events.

Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika: Spatial and Temporal Distribution in Rio de Janeiro State, 2015-2019.

Simultaneous spatial circulation of urban arboviral diseases, such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika, is a major challenge. In this ecological study of urban arboviruses performed from 2015 to 2019, we analyzed the spatial and temporal dynamics of these arboviruses in all 92 municipalities and nine health regions of Rio de Janeiro state. Annual cumulative incidences are presented for all three arboviruses throughout the study period. Spatial analyses of the three studied arboviruses showed distinct behaviors among municipalities and health regions. Co-circulation of the three arboviruses in the state and a heterogeneous spatiotemporal pattern was observed for each disease and region, with dengue having a higher annual incidence during the five years of the study, as well as two consecutive epidemic years in the state. The increase in transmission in different regions of the state in one year culminated in an epidemic in the state in the following year. A high annual cumulative incidence of chikungunya occurred in municipalities from 2017 to 2019 and of Zika only in 2016. Some municipalities with higher population densities showed higher incidences for some arboviruses and appeared to contribute to the dissemination to cities of lower demographic density and maintenance of these urban arboviruses. Thus, regions recording increased incidences of the three diseases in their territories for long periods should be considered municipal poles, as they initiated and sustained high transmission within their region.

Ecological and environmental factors affecting transmission of sylvatic yellow fever in the 2017-2019 outbreak in the Atlantic Forest, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Yellow fever virus (YFV) is an arbovirus that, despite the existence of a safe and effective vaccine, continues to cause outbreaks of varying dimensions in the Americas and Africa. Between 2017 and 2019, Brazil registered un unprecedented sylvatic YFV outbreak whose severity was the result of its spread into zones of the Atlantic Forest with no signals of viral circulation for nearly 80 years. METHODS: To investigate the influence of climatic, environmental, and ecological factors governing the dispersion and force of infection of YFV in a naïve area such as the landscape mosaic of Rio de Janeiro (RJ), we combined the analyses of a large set of data including entomological sampling performed before and during the 2017-2019 outbreak, with the geolocation of human and nonhuman primates (NHP) and mosquito infections. RESULTS: A greater abundance of Haemagogus mosquitoes combined with lower richness and diversity of mosquito fauna increased the probability of finding a YFV-infected mosquito. Furthermore, the analysis of functional traits showed that certain functional groups, composed mainly of Aedini mosquitoes which includes Aedes and Haemagogus mosquitoes, are also more representative in areas where infected mosquitoes were found. Human and NHP infections were more common in two types of landscapes: large and continuous forest, capable of harboring many YFV hosts, and patches of small forest fragments, where environmental imbalance can lead to a greater density of the primary vectors and high human exposure. In both, we show that most human infections (~ 62%) occurred within an 11-km radius of the finding of an infected NHP, which is in line with the flight range of the primary vectors. CONCLUSIONS: Together, our data suggest that entomological data and landscape composition analyses may help to predict areas permissive to yellow fever outbreaks, allowing protective measures to be taken to avoid human cases.

Emergence of Within-Host SARS-CoV-2 Recombinant Genome After Coinfection by Gamma and Delta Variants: A Case Report.

In this study, we report the first case of intra-host SARS-CoV-2 recombination during a coinfection by the variants of concern (VOC) AY.33 (Delta) and P.1 (Gamma) supported by sequencing reads harboring a mosaic of lineage-defining mutations. By using next-generation sequencing reads intersecting regions that simultaneously overlap lineage-defining mutations from Gamma and Delta, we were able to identify a total of six recombinant regions across the SARS-CoV-2 genome within a sample. Four of them mapped in the spike gene and two in the nucleocapsid gene. We detected mosaic reads harboring a combination of lineage-defining mutations from each VOC. To our knowledge, this is the first report of intra-host RNA-RNA recombination between two lineages of SARS-CoV-2, which can represent a threat to public health management during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the possibility of the emergence of viruses with recombinant phenotypes.

Phylodynamic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 spread in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, highlights how metropolitan areas act as dispersal hubs for new variants.

During the first semester of 2021, all of Brazil has suffered an intense wave of COVID-19 associated with the Gamma variant. In July, the first cases of Delta variant were detected in the state of Rio de Janeiro. In this work, we have employed phylodynamic methods to analyse more than 1 600 genomic sequences of Delta variant collected until September in Rio de Janeiro to reconstruct how this variant has surpassed Gamma and dispersed throughout the state. After the introduction of Delta, it has initially spread mostly in the homonymous city of Rio de Janeiro, the most populous of the state. In a second stage, dispersal occurred to mid- and long-range cities, which acted as new close-range hubs for spread. We observed that the substitution of Gamma by Delta was possibly caused by its higher viral load, a proxy for transmissibility. This variant turnover prompted a new surge in cases, but with lower lethality than was observed during the peak caused by Gamma. We reason that high vaccination rates in the state of Rio de Janeiro were possibly what prevented a higher number of deaths.

[Aedes aegypti larval indices and dengue incidence: an ecological study in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil]. / Índices larvais de Aedes aegypti e incidência de dengue: um estudo ecológico no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.

The simultaneous circulation of dengue, Zika, and chikungunya poses major challenges for Brazil. Due to climate changes and other associated factors, more than two billion people in the world may be exposed to these arbovirus infections, according to the World Health Organization. The principal strategy for Aedes aegypti control programs is based on the Infestation Index Rapid Survey for Ae. aegypti (LIRAa), a sample survey in which the Building Infestation Index (BII) is used to prioritize areas for intervention. This study analyzed the performance of LIRAa in terms of its sensitivity for predicting dengue epidemics in municipalities in the state of Rio de Janeiro in epidemic years. Incidence rates per municipality for the years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2016, plus the BII in October of the previous years. Scatterplots were created, aimed at an exploratory analysis and graphic visualizations of the relationship between the above-mentioned variables, as well as analyses of the Spearman correlation between the BII and the Breteau Index for each year, aimed at estimating the quality of the LIRAa. Comparative analysis of the values for the BII and the respective incidence rates in the period only indicated significant correlation between these variables in 2011/2012 (rs = 0.479; p < 0.01). There was also a correlation between BII and Breteau Index. It is urgent to rethink the parameters established by the LIRAa methodology and invest in alternative methodologies in entomological and epidemiological surveillance that reliably measure transmission risk in the territory and thus design more effective strategies to control these arbovirus infections.

A circulação simultânea da dengue, Zika e chikungunya impõe desafios importantes para o Brasil, que em decorrência das mudanças climáticas e outros fatores associados, estas arboviroses podem expor mais de 2 bilhões de pessoas no mundo, segundo a Organização Mundial da Saúde. A principal estratégia dos programas de controle do Aedes aegypti baseia-se no Levantamento de Índice Rápido para o Ae. aegypti (LIRAa), um inquérito amostral no qual o Índice de Infestação Predial (IIP) obtido é utilizado para priorizar áreas de intervenção. Neste estudo, analisou-se o desempenho do LIRAa quanto à sua sensibilidade na previsão de epidemias de dengue em municípios do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, em anos considerados epidêmicos. Foram obtidas as taxas de incidência (TI) por município nos anos de 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015 e 2016, e os IIP de outubro dos anos anteriores. Foram elaborados diagramas de dispersão, visando à análise exploratória e à visualização gráfica da relação entre as referidas variáveis, assim como análises de correlação de Spearman entre o IIP e o Índice de Breteau (IB) de cada ano, a fim de estimar a qualidade do LIRAa. A análise comparativa dos valores dos IIP e as respectivas TI no período indicou correlação significativa entre estas variáveis apenas em 2011/2012 (rs = 0,479; p < 0,01). Adicionalmente, foi observada correlação entre os IIP e IB. É urgente repensar os parâmetros estabelecidos pela metodologia LIRAa e investir em metodologias alternativas de vigilância entomoepidemiológica, que mensurem de forma confiável o risco de transmissão no território e assim delinear estratégias mais efetivas para o controle dessas arboviroses.

La circulación simultánea del dengue, Zika y chikungunya impone desafíos importantes para Brasil, que, a consecuencia del cambio climático y otros factores asociados, pueden estar expuestas a estas arbovirosis más de 2 billones de personas en el mundo, según la Organización Mundial de la Salud. La principal estrategia de los programas de control del Aedes aegypti se basa en el Levantamento de Índice Rápido para el Ae. aegypti (LIRAa), una encuesta de muestreo en la que el Índice de Infestación de Edificios (IIP) obtenido es utilizado para priorizar áreas de intervención. En este estudio se analizó el desempeño del LIRAa, en cuanto a su sensibilidad en la previsión de epidemias de dengue en municipios del estado de Río de Janeiro, durante años considerados epidémicos. Se obtuvieron tasas de incidencia (TI) por municipio de los años de 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015 y 2016, y los IIP de octubre de años anteriores. Se elaboraron diagramas de dispersión, visando el análisis exploratorio y visualización gráfica de la relación entre las referidas variables, así como análisis de correlación de Spearman entre el IIP y el Índice de Breteau (IB) de cada año, con el objetivo estimar la calidad del LIRAa. El análisis comparativo de los valores de los IIP y las respectivas TI en el período indicó correlación significativa entre esas variables solamente en 2011/2012 (rs = 0,479; p < 0,01). Asimismo, se observó correlación entre los IIP e IB. Es urgente repensar los parámetros establecidos por la metodología LIRAa, e invertir en metodologías alternativas de vigilancia entomoepidemiológica, que midan de forma confiable el riesgo de transmisión en el territorio y así delinear estrategias más efectivas para el control de esas arbovirosis.

Dengue Virus Serotype 2 Intrahost Diversity in Patients with Different Clinical Outcomes.

Intrahost genetic diversity is thought to facilitate arbovirus adaptation to changing environments and hosts, and it might also be linked to viral pathogenesis. Dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2) has circulated in Brazil since 1990 and is associated with severe disease and explosive outbreaks. Intending to shed light on the viral determinants for severe dengue pathogenesis, we sought to analyze the DENV-2 intrahost genetic diversity in 68 patient cases clinically classified as dengue fever (n = 31), dengue with warning signs (n = 19), and severe dengue (n = 18). Unlike previous DENV intrahost diversity studies whose approaches employed PCR, here we performed viral whole-genome deep sequencing from clinical samples with an amplicon-free approach, representing the real intrahost diversity scenario. Striking differences were detected in the viral population structure between the three clinical categories, which appear to be driven mainly by different infection times and selection pressures, rather than being linked with the clinical outcome itself. Diversity in the NS2B gene, however, showed to be constrained, irrespective of clinical outcome and infection time. Finally, 385 non-synonymous intrahost single-nucleotide variants located along the viral polyprotein, plus variants located in the untranslated regions, were consistently identified among the samples. Of them, 124 were exclusively or highly detected among cases with warning signs and among severe cases. However, there was no variant that by itself appeared to characterize the cases of greater severity, either due to its low intrahost frequency or the conservative effect on amino acid substitution. Although further studies are necessary to determine their real effect on viral proteins, this heightens the possibility of epistatic interactions. The present analysis represents an initial effort to correlate DENV-2 genetic diversity to its pathogenic potential and thus contribute to understanding the virus's dynamics within its human host.

Turnover of SARS-CoV-2 Lineages Shaped the Pandemic and Enabled the Emergence of New Variants in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

In the present study, we provide a retrospective genomic epidemiology analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We gathered publicly available data from GISAID and sequenced 1927 new genomes sampled periodically from March 2021 to June 2021 from 91 out of the 92 cities of the state. Our results showed that the pandemic was characterized by three different phases driven by a successive replacement of lineages. Interestingly, we noticed that viral supercarriers accounted for the overwhelming majority of the circulating virus (>90%) among symptomatic individuals in the state. Moreover, SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance also revealed the emergence and spread of two new variants (P.5 and P.1.2), firstly reported in this study. Our findings provided important lessons learned from the different epidemiological aspects of the SARS-CoV-2 dynamic in Rio de Janeiro. Altogether, this might have a strong potential to shape future decisions aiming to improve public health management and understanding mechanisms underlying virus dispersion.

Psychological distress in Brazilian Crohn's disease patients: screening, prevalence, and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Psychological disturbances are frequent in Crohn's disease (CD) patients. However, epidemiological studies of non-western CD populations are limited and may be confounded by genetic and disease-related influences. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors for depression and symptoms of anxiety in Brazilian patients with CD. MATERIAL/METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 110 CD patients and 110 control subjects with erosive esophagitis were assessed for depression and anxiety symptoms using the Beck Depression Inventory and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. RESULTS: The Crohn's and control groups were similar with regard to socio-demographic data. Compared with the controls, the CD patients had a significantly higher prevalence of depressed mood (25.4% vs. 8.2%, P=0.003). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of anxiety between CD subjects (33.6%) and controls (22.7%). Depressed mood rates were higher among those who had active disease and greater CDAI scores (OR: 3.4, 95%CI 1.1-10.8). Family history of depression (OR: 5.3, 95%CI: 2.7-15.1) was related to the co-occurrence of anxiety symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: In CD patients, depression and anxiety are highly concurrent conditions. Disease activity was strongly associated with depressed mood, while a family history of depression was related to anxiety. Screening for depression and anxiety should be carried out routinely as part of quality of care improvement in CD individuals.

Azathioprine therapy in steroid-dependent patients with Crohn disease: results of a 10-year longitudinal follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Studies assessing the efficacy of azathioprine in steroid-dependent patients with Crohn's disease are scarce. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of azathioprine, and factors associated with sustained response, in steroid-dependent patients with Crohn's disease. MATERIAL/METHODS: In this prospective, observational study, adult steroid-dependent subjects with Crohn's disease receiving azathioprine therapy were assessed over a 10-year period. Azathioprine dosage was adjusted according to clinical response and occurrence of adverse events. Median treatment duration was 83 months. Steroid therapy was tapered according to protocol. RESULTS: A total of 106 subjects were included. The proportion of subjects remaining in sustained steroid-free remission at 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months was 0.61, 0.73, 0.72, 0.70, and 0.70, respectively. Thereafter, the rate of weaning from steroids decreased gradually, reaching a nadir of 0.41 at 108 months. Median time to complete steroid withdrawal was 6 months. Demographic, azathioprine dose, and disease-related data did not correlate with remission. By multivariate analysis, only decreased mean leukocyte count during follow-up was independently associated with steroid-free remission (P=.001). Subjects who achieved an annual mean leukocyte count <6,000/mm(3) were more likely to sustain steroid-free remission (P=.01). Serious adverse events in response to azathioprine were uncommon. CONCLUSIONS: Azathioprine therapy offers a meaningful option in the management of steroid-dependent Crohn's disease for up to 10 years. A persistent decrease in leukocyte count may provide a surrogate marker of sustained steroid-free response.

High Prevalence of a Newly Discovered Wutai Mosquito Phasivirus in Mosquitoes from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Many RNA viruses have recently emerged, threatening humans and causing harm to animals and plants. Bunyaviruses represent one of the largest groups of RNA viruses and are able to infect a wide range of hosts (invertebrates, vertebrates, and plants). Recently, new insect-specific viruses have been isolated from mosquitoes and phlebotomine sandflies worldwide. Little is known regarding the impact of these viruses on the vector life cycles and the stages of oviposition, breeding, blood feeding, and the mosquito's lifespan. This study describes, for the first time in South America, the detection and characterization of a recently discovered bunyavirus corresponding to the Wutai mosquito phasivirus, confirming its high prevalence in the Culex spp. and Aedes spp. mosquitoes collected in the urban environment of Rio de Janeiro city, Brazil. The knowledge of the mosquito's insect-specific virus infection can improve virus evolution studies and may contribute to the understanding of intrinsic factors that influence vector competence to transmit pathogenic viruses.

Haemagogus leucocelaenus and Haemagogus janthinomys are the primary vectors in the major yellow fever outbreak in Brazil, 2016-2018.

The yellow fever virus (YFV) caused a severe outbreak in Brazil in 2016-2018 that rapidly spread across the Atlantic Forest in its most populated region without viral circulation for almost 80 years. A comprehensive entomological survey combining analysis of distribution, abundance and YFV natural infection in mosquitoes captured before and during the outbreak was conducted in 44 municipalities of five Brazilian states. In total, 17,662 mosquitoes of 89 species were collected. Before evidence of virus circulation, mosquitoes were tested negative but traditional vectors were alarmingly detected in 82% of municipalities, revealing high receptivity to sylvatic transmission. During the outbreak, five species were found positive in 42% of municipalities. Haemagogus janthinomys and Hg. leucocelaenus are considered the primary vectors due to their large distribution combined with high abundance and natural infection rates, concurring together for the rapid spread and severity of this outbreak. Aedes taeniorhynchus was found infected for the first time, but like Sabethes chloropterus and Aedes scapularis, it appears to have a potential local or secondary role because of their low abundance, distribution and infection rates. There was no evidence of YFV transmission by Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti, although the former was the most widespread species across affected municipalities, presenting an important overlap between the niches of the sylvatic vectors and the anthropic ones. The definition of receptive areas, expansion of vaccination in the most affected age group and exposed populations and the adoption of universal vaccination to the entire Brazilian population need to be urgently implemented.

Índices larvais de Aedes aegypti e incidência de dengue: um estudo ecológico no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil / Aedes aegypti larval indices and dengue incidence: an ecological study in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil / Índices larvales de Aedes aegypti e incidencia de dengue: un estudio ecológico en el estado de Río de Janeiro, Brasil

Resumo: A circulação simultânea da dengue, Zika e chikungunya impõe desafios importantes para o Brasil, que em decorrência das mudanças climáticas e outros fatores associados, estas arboviroses podem expor mais de 2 bilhões de pessoas no mundo, segundo a Organização Mundial da Saúde. A principal estratégia dos programas de controle do Aedes aegypti baseia-se no Levantamento de Índice Rápido para o Ae. aegypti (LIRAa), um inquérito amostral no qual o Índice de Infestação Predial (IIP) obtido é utilizado para priorizar áreas de intervenção. Neste estudo, analisou-se o desempenho do LIRAa quanto à sua sensibilidade na previsão de epidemias de dengue em municípios do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, em anos considerados epidêmicos. Foram obtidas as taxas de incidência (TI) por município nos anos de 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015 e 2016, e os IIP de outubro dos anos anteriores. Foram elaborados diagramas de dispersão, visando à análise exploratória e à visualização gráfica da relação entre as referidas variáveis, assim como análises de correlação de Spearman entre o IIP e o Índice de Breteau (IB) de cada ano, a fim de estimar a qualidade do LIRAa. A análise comparativa dos valores dos IIP e as respectivas TI no período indicou correlação significativa entre estas variáveis apenas em 2011/2012 (rs = 0,479; p < 0,01). Adicionalmente, foi observada correlação entre os IIP e IB. É urgente repensar os parâmetros estabelecidos pela metodologia LIRAa e investir em metodologias alternativas de vigilância entomoepidemiológica, que mensurem de forma confiável o risco de transmissão no território e assim delinear estratégias mais efetivas para o controle dessas arboviroses.

Abstract: The simultaneous circulation of dengue, Zika, and chikungunya poses major challenges for Brazil. Due to climate changes and other associated factors, more than two billion people in the world may be exposed to these arbovirus infections, according to the World Health Organization. The principal strategy for Aedes aegypti control programs is based on the Infestation Index Rapid Survey for Ae. aegypti (LIRAa), a sample survey in which the Building Infestation Index (BII) is used to prioritize areas for intervention. This study analyzed the performance of LIRAa in terms of its sensitivity for predicting dengue epidemics in municipalities in the state of Rio de Janeiro in epidemic years. Incidence rates per municipality for the years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2016, plus the BII in October of the previous years. Scatterplots were created, aimed at an exploratory analysis and graphic visualizations of the relationship between the above-mentioned variables, as well as analyses of the Spearman correlation between the BII and the Breteau Index for each year, aimed at estimating the quality of the LIRAa. Comparative analysis of the values for the BII and the respective incidence rates in the period only indicated significant correlation between these variables in 2011/2012 (rs = 0.479; p < 0.01). There was also a correlation between BII and Breteau Index. It is urgent to rethink the parameters established by the LIRAa methodology and invest in alternative methodologies in entomological and epidemiological surveillance that reliably measure transmission risk in the territory and thus design more effective strategies to control these arbovirus infections.

Resumen: La circulación simultánea del dengue, Zika y chikungunya impone desafíos importantes para Brasil, que, a consecuencia del cambio climático y otros factores asociados, pueden estar expuestas a estas arbovirosis más de 2 billones de personas en el mundo, según la Organización Mundial de la Salud. La principal estrategia de los programas de control del Aedes aegypti se basa en el Levantamento de Índice Rápido para el Ae. aegypti (LIRAa), una encuesta de muestreo en la que el Índice de Infestación de Edificios (IIP) obtenido es utilizado para priorizar áreas de intervención. En este estudio se analizó el desempeño del LIRAa, en cuanto a su sensibilidad en la previsión de epidemias de dengue en municipios del estado de Río de Janeiro, durante años considerados epidémicos. Se obtuvieron tasas de incidencia (TI) por municipio de los años de 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015 y 2016, y los IIP de octubre de años anteriores. Se elaboraron diagramas de dispersión, visando el análisis exploratorio y visualización gráfica de la relación entre las referidas variables, así como análisis de correlación de Spearman entre el IIP y el Índice de Breteau (IB) de cada año, con el objetivo estimar la calidad del LIRAa. El análisis comparativo de los valores de los IIP y las respectivas TI en el período indicó correlación significativa entre esas variables solamente en 2011/2012 (rs = 0,479; p < 0,01). Asimismo, se observó correlación entre los IIP e IB. Es urgente repensar los parámetros establecidos por la metodología LIRAa, e invertir en metodologías alternativas de vigilancia entomoepidemiológica, que midan de forma confiable el riesgo de transmisión en el territorio y así delinear estrategias más efectivas para el control de esas arbovirosis.

[Hazardous alcohol use: screening and brief intervention as routine practice in primary care]. / Implantação de rotinas de rastreamento do uso de risco de álcool e de uma intervenção breve na atenção primária à saúde: dificuldades a serem superadas.

The variety of problems related to the so-called hazardous patterns of alcohol use make the latter a prominent public health concern. Screening instruments associated with brief interventions in primary care provide one of the frequently recommended secondary prevention strategies. The objective of this study was to assess the implementation of this strategy as a routine practice in primary health care services in the city of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. A qualitative design was employed, including the application of semi-structured interviews for managers and health care professionals in the city's public health system, in addition to content analysis and participant observation. Results point to difficulties in the effective implementation of such routines both by managers and health care professionals. Health care professionals limit the approach to alcohol-dependent patients and demonstrate lack of motivation for preventive work. Health services managers experience difficulties in the organization and administration of such instruments, despite affirming their interest in the project.

Combination of surveillance tools reveals that Yellow Fever virus can remain in the same Atlantic Forest area at least for three transmission seasons

BACKGROUND In Brazil, the Yellow Fever virus (YFV) is endemic in the Amazon, from where it eventually expands into epidemic waves. Coastal south-eastern (SE) Brazil, which has been a YFV-free region for eight decades, has reported a severe sylvatic outbreak since 2016. The virus spread from the north toward the south of the Rio de Janeiro (RJ) state, causing 307 human cases with 105 deaths during the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 transmission seasons. It is unclear, however, whether the YFV would persist in the coastal Atlantic Forest of RJ during subsequent transmission seasons. OBJECTIVES To conduct a real-time surveillance and assess the potential persistence of YFV in the coastal Atlantic Forest of RJ during the 2018-2019 transmission season. METHODS We combined epizootic surveillance with fast diagnostic and molecular, phylogenetic, and evolutionary analyses. FINDINGS Using this integrative strategy, we detected the first evidence of YFV re-emergence in the third transmission season (2018-2019) in a dying howler monkey from the central region of the RJ state. The YFV detected in 2019 has the molecular signature associated with the current SE YFV outbreak and exhibited a close phylogenetic relationship with the YFV lineage that circulated in the same Atlantic Forest fragment during the past seasons. This lineage circulated along the coastal side of the Serra do Mar mountain chain, and its evolution seems to be mainly driven by genetic drift. The potential bridge vector Aedes albopictus was found probing on the recently dead howler monkey in the forest edge, very close to urban areas. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Collectively, our data revealed that YFV transmission persisted at the same Atlantic Forest area for at least three consecutive transmission seasons without the need of new introductions. Our real-time surveillance strategy permitted health authorities to take preventive actions within 48 h after the detection of the sick non-human primate. The local virus persistence and the proximity of the epizootic forest to urban areas reinforces the concern with regards to the risk of re-urbanisation and seasonal re-emergence of YFV, stressing the need for continuous effective surveillance and high vaccination coverage in the SE region, particularly in RJ, an important tourist location.

Treatment dropout at a secondary mental health service.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate mental health dropout rates in secondary care and to identify possible associations between this variable and social, demographic, psychopathologic, and health care process-related variables. METHOD: This prospective, observational study included 994 patients referred to a secondary service by four primary care units and evaluated by a specialist mental health team between 2004 and 2008. The dependent variable was treatment dropout. Bivariate analyses investigated possible associations between treatment dropout and 57 independent variables. RESULTS: The overall dropout rate from specialist mental health treatment was relatively low (mean = 25.6%). Only four independent variables were associated with dropout: one socioeconomic, two psychopathological, and one health care process variable. All associations were marginally significant (p < 0.1). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that family members, patients, and health care professionals are well engaged in this mental health care system based on a model of primary care. The use of this mental health model of care should be extended to other regions of our country.