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Objective: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the neurological/psychomotor development of children aged 0-5 years attending Child Education Centers in Brazil. Method: This developmental assessment included a screening test to identify which variables could be associated with risks for developmental delays. A total of 444 children were evaluated using the Denver II, which examines the personal-social, language, fine motor-adaptive, and gross motor domains. To demonstrate associations between variables, the chi-square test for k-proportions was used, followed by a logistic regression model. Results: The evaluation indicated a risk for developmental delay in 45.9% of the children, with the personal-social and language domains being the most affected. The influence of the school environment and age group on child development was noted. Conclusions: These data are of great importance in that they serve to provide a basis for the identification and monitoring of the achievements of children.

We report a case of Burkholderia mallei causing glanders in a 73-year-old patient from the Northeast Region of Brazil. The patient was hospitalized with severe pneumonia. PCR and genomic sequencing confirmed B. mallei in pleural drainage. Genotyping revealed a novel genotype, emphasizing the need for genetic surveillance in zoonotic infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The indigenous population located in the central region of Brazil, is the second largest in terms of population size in the country. The Indigenous Reserve of Dourados has risk factors that increase the vulnerability of the indigenous population to infectious diseases, especially Human alphaherpesvirus (HSV-1), a neglected disease with high prevalence in priority populations in developing countries. The virus can also cause many more severe diseases, including widespread neonatal infections, herpetic keratitis, and herpes encephalitis, which can be fatal if left untreated. We estimated the prevalence of anti-HSV-1 antibodies and correlated it with the demographic and behavioral characteristics of the Indigenous population of the Jaguapirú and Bororó villages (Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Brazil). Methods: Our approach was cross-sectional. From March 2017 to November 2018. Using anti-HSV-1 (Gg1) IgM and anti-HSV-1 (gG1) IgG Euroimmun and the detection and quantification of HSV-1 viral load in plasma samples, through real-time PCR. The maps were constructed using QGIS and the statistical analyses using R Studio software. Results: A total of 1138 individuals (> 18 years old) were enrolled. The prevalence of anti-HSV-1 IgM and IgG were 20% and 97.5%, respectively. The prevalence of anti-HSV-1 antibodies for IgG was higher in both sexes. Anti-HSV-1 IgM antibodies were present in 17.1%, 21.2%, 12.5%, and 22% of the participants with urinary problems, genital wounds, genital warts, and urethral discharge, respectively. Real-time PCR was used for confirmatory testing; HSV-1 DNA was detected in 25.6% (54/211) of anti-HSV1 IgM-positive samples. Viral loads ranged from 5.99E + 02 to 3.36E + 13. Conclusions: The seroprevalence of HSV-1 IgM and detection of HSV-1 DNA in the Indigenous population confirmed high silent prevalence. Furthermore, the seroprevalence of HSV-1 in the Indigenous population was higher than that reported in the general adult Brazilian population. Various socioeconomic factors, drug use, and health and sexual behaviors could contribute to the facilitation of HSV-1 transmission in the Indigenous population. Our results may help develop culturally appropriate intervention programs that eliminate health access barriers and improve the implementation of public health policies aimed at promoting information regarding the prevention, treatment, and control of HSV-1 infection in Brazilian Indigenous populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Veterinaria Brasilica is the property of Acta Veterinaria Brasilica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This manuscript elucidates the occurrence of glanders in an asymptomatic mare from Brazil presenting positive Burkholderia mallei antibody titers. The diagnosis was established through a multi-pronged approach encompassing microbiological culture, mass spectrometry, and genome sequencing. The outbreak occurred in 2019 in Tatuí, São Paulo, Brazil, and the infected mare, despite displaying no clinical symptoms, had multiple miliary lesions in the liver, as well as intense catarrhal discharge in the trachea. Samples were collected from various organs and subjected to bacterial isolation, molecular detection, and identification. The strain was identified as B. mallei using PCR and confirmed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Whole-genome sequencing revealed a genome size of 5.51 Mb with a GC content of 65.8%, 5871 genes (including 4 rRNA and 53 tRNA genes), and 5583 coding DNA sequences (CDSs). Additionally, 227 predicted pseudogenes were detected. In silico analysis of different genomic loci that allow for differentiation with Burkholderia pseudomallei confirmed the identity of the isolate as B. mallei, in addition to the characteristic genome size. The BAC 86/19 strain was identified as lineage 3, sublineage 2, which includes other strains from Brazil, India, and Iran. The genome sequencing of this strain provides valuable information that can be used to better understand the pathogen and its epidemiology, as well as to develop diagnostic tools for glanders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite previous reports of SARS-CoV-2 infection in dogs and cats worldwide, the type of swab sample used for its detection through RT-qPCR needs to be better compared and described. Accordingly, as part of a multicenter study in Brazil, the aim of the present study was to assess which rectal or oropharyngeal swabs would be more appropriate for detecting SARS-CoV-2 in cats and dogs, through viral load comparison. Pets of owners diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 7 days were eligible. A total of 148 animals from four of the five Brazilian geographical regions were analyzed, among which 10/48 cats (20.83%) and 11/100 dogs (11.00%) were positive. The results suggested that oropharyngeal swabs should be considered for SARS-CoV-2 detection, particularly in cats, due to the higher cDNA viral load. Also, the genomic results showed similarities between SARS-CoV-2 animal variants and human variants that were circulating at the time of sampling, thus corroborating the existence of zooanthroponotic transmission. In conclusion, the present study highlighted the importance of SARS-CoV-2 monitoring among cats and dogs, as virus modification may indicate the possibility of mutations in animals and spillover back to owners. Thus, positive individuals should always self-isolate from their pets during COVID-19, to prevent trans-species transmission and mutation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inherited genetic defects in immune system-related genes can result in Inborn Errors of Immunity (IEI), also known as Primary Immunodeficiencies (PID). Diagnosis of IEI disorders is challenging due to overlapping clinical manifestations. Accurate identification of disease-causing germline variants is crucial for appropriate treatment, prognosis, and genetic counseling. However, genetic sequencing is challenging in low-income countries like Brazil. This study aimed to perform genetic screening on patients treated within Brazil's public Unified Health System to identify candidate genetic variants associated with the patient's phenotype. Methods: Thirteen singleton unrelated patients from three hospitals in Rio de Janeiro were enrolled in this study. Genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood lymphocytes of each patient, and whole exome sequencing (WES) analyses were conducted using Illumina NextSeq. Germline genetic variants in IEI-related genes were prioritized using a computational framework considering their molecular consequence in coding regions; minor allele frequency ≤ 0.01; pathogenicity classification based on American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics and the Association for Molecular Pathology (ACMG/AMP) guidelines gathered from the VarSome clinical database; and IEI-related phenotype using the Franklin tool. The genes classification into IEI categories follows internationally recognized guidelines informed by the International Union of Immunological Societies Expert Committee. Additional methods for confirmation of the variant included Sanger sequencing, phasing analysis, and splice site prediction. Results: A total of 16 disease-causing variants in nine genes, encompassing six different IEI categories, were identified. X-Linked Agammaglobulinemia, caused by BTK variations, emerged as the most prevalent IEI disorder in the cohort. However, pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants were also reported in other known IEI-related genes, namely CD40LG, CARD11, WAS, CYBB, C6, and LRBA. Interestingly, two patients with suspected IEI exhibited pathogenic variants in non-IEI-related genes, ABCA12 and SLC25A13, potentially explaining their phenotypes. Conclusions: Genetic screening through WES enabled the detection of potentially harmful variants associated with IEI disorders. These findings contribute to a better understanding of patients' clinical manifestations by elucidating the genetic basis underlying their phenotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is an oleaginous plant that shows high suitability for cultivation in Brazil. However, the performance of the crop is influenced by factors such as weed interference, mainly because of the few selective herbicide options. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate weed control and selectivity of four pre-emergent herbicides applied to two sunflower cultivars in sandy and clayey soils. Two field experiments were conducted in a randomized block design with a 2 × 6 factorial scheme, two cultivars (CF 101 and M 734) and six treatments with S-metolachlor (1920 g a.i. ha−1), sulfentrazone (150 g a.i. ha−1), flumioxazin (40 g a.i. ha−1), and trifluralin (1780 g a.i. ha−1) and two controls, one with weeding and the other without weeding and without herbicide application, in soils with contrasting textures (sandy and clayey). No injury symptoms were observed in both cultivars, regardless of soil texture. The cultivar M 734 exhibited the highest values of the agronomic parameters evaluated. The treatment with flumioxazin provided control of more than 90% of the weeds in clayey soil and more than 64% in sandy soil. The yield of both cultivars was lower in the sandy soil. Thus, all herbicide treatments were selective for both cultivars tested, since they did not interfere with sunflower grain yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brazil currently ranks second in absolute deaths by COVID-19, even though most of its population has completed the vaccination protocol. With the introduction of Omicron in late 2021, the number of COVID-19 cases soared once again in the country. We investigated in this work how lineages BA.1 and BA.2 entered and spread in the country by sequencing 2173 new SARS-CoV-2 genomes collected between October 2021 and April 2022 and analyzing them in addition to more than 18,000 publicly available sequences with phylodynamic methods. We registered that Omicron was present in Brazil as early as 16 November 2021 and by January 2022 was already more than 99% of samples. More importantly, we detected that Omicron has been mostly imported through the state of São Paulo, which in turn dispersed the lineages to other states and regions of Brazil. This knowledge can be used to implement more efficient non-pharmaceutical interventions against the introduction of new SARS-CoV variants focused on surveillance of airports and ground transportation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To describe 120 cases of ocular sporotrichosis. Review of medical records of patients with culture-proven (from eye specimen) ocular sporotrichosis, in Rio de Janeiro, from 2007 to 2017. Women were more affected (61.7%) and median age was 24 years. The isolated ocular form was more frequent (75.8%). Fixed cutaneous sporotrichosis was the most commonly associated form (48.3%). Hypersensitivity reactions were observed in 10% of patients. Ocular involvement was unilateral in 98.3% of the cases, and the most frequent clinical presentation was granulomatous conjunctivitis (86.7%), followed by eyelid lesion (25%). Dacryocystitis represented 7.5% of the cases, predominantly in children (55.6%). Itraconazole was the first choice treatment (95.8%). Sequelae were observed in 23 patients (22.5%), and surgical treatment was required for most of them. Ocular sporotrichosis can be considered a characteristic form of the zoonotic transmission, with high morbidity. Delay in initiating specific treatment is likely to increase the risk of progression to more severe forms of the disease, and development of ocular sequelae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chikungunya-fever (CHIKF) remains a public health major issue. It is clinically divided into three phases: acute, post-acute and chronic. Chronic cases correspond to 25–40% individuals and, though most of them are characterized by long-lasting arthralgia alone, many of them exhibit persistent or recurrent inflammatory signs that define post-Chikungunya chronic inflammatory joint disease (pCHIKV-CIJD). We aimed to identify early clinical markers of evolution to pCHIKV-CIJD during acute and post-acute phases. Methodology/Principal findings: We studied a prospective cohort of CHIKF-confirmed volunteers with longitudinal clinical data collection from symptoms onset up to 90 days, including a 21-day visit (D21). Of 169 patients with CHIKF, 86 (50.9%) completed the follow-up, from whom 39 met clinical criteria for pCHIKV-CIJD (45.3%). The relative risk of chronification was higher in women compared to men (RR = 1.52; 95% CI = 1.15–1.99; FDR = 0.03). None of the symptoms or signs presented at D0 behaved as an early predictor of pCHIKV-CIJD, while being symptomatic at D21 was a risk factor for chronification (RR = 1.31; 95% CI = 1.09–1.55; FDR = 0.03). Significance was also observed for joint pain (RR = 1.35; 95% CI = 1.12–1.61; FDR = 0.02), reported edema (RR = 3.61; 95% CI = 1.44–9.06; FDR = 0.03), reported hand and/or feet small joints edema (RR = 4.22; 95% CI = 1.51–11.78; FDR = 0.02), and peri-articular edema observed during physical examination (RR = 2.89; 95% CI = 1.58–5.28; FDR = 0.002). Furthermore, patients with no findings in physical examination at D21 were at lower risk of chronic evolution (RR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.24–0.70, FDR = 0.01). Twenty-nine pCHIKV-CIJD patients had abnormal articular ultrasonography (90.6% of the examined). The most common indings were synovitis (65.5%) and joint effusion (58.6%). Conclusion: This cohort has provided important insights into the prognostic evaluation of CHIKF. Symptomatic sub-acute disease is a relevant predictor of evolution to chronic arthritis with synovitis, drawing attention to joint pain, edema, multiple articular involvement including small hand and feet joints as risk factors for chronification beyond three months, especially in women. Future studies are needed to accomplish the identification of accurate and early biomarkers of poor clinical prognosis, which would allow better understanding of the disease's evolution and improve patients' management, modifying CHIKF burden on global public health. Author summary: Chikungunya fever (CHIKF) is a vector-borne viral disease first described in 1952 in Africa, which recently reached the Americas, where it then originated epidemics of unprecedented magnitude. Its acute phase is characterized by fever associated with joint pain and edema, which resolve in about seven days for most patients. However, 25–40% of these patients develop chronic musculoskeletal and arthritic symptoms, which may be incapacitating and lead to permanent joint damage. We have conducted a prospective longintudinal cohort of CHIKF confirmed individuals, in Brazil, which aimed to identify clinical early markers of evolution to post-Chikungunya chronic inflammatory joint disease (pCHIKV-CIJD) after 90 days, using objective physical examination to define pCHIKV-CIJD. We have also performed joint ultrasonography to improve evaluation of chronic arthritis. We found that 45.3% of patients who completed the follow-up met criteria for pCHIKV-CIJD. Women were at higher risk of chronification, as well as individuals who remain symptomatic 21 days after the onset of symptoms. Abnormal ultrasonography results were seen in 90.6% of examined pCHIKV-CIJD patients, in whom synovitis and joint effusion were the most commom songraphic signs, affecting mostly ankles and knees. The adoption of objective criteria to define pCHIKV-CIJD is crucial to estimate accurately the proportion of patients who evolve to chronic rheumatism, and to indentify early risk factors to this outcome, which may add important information to tailor therapeutic strategies for this particular population. It may also help to understand the burden of CHIKF in developing countries, measuring either its impact in individual's quality of life, or its communitary repercussion after widespread outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on a 15‐year‐long outbreak of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in wildlife from a Brazilian safari park. A timeline of diagnostic events and whole‐genome sequencing (WGS) of 21 Mycobacterium bovis isolates from deer and llamas were analyzed. Accordingly, from 2003 to 2018, at least 16 animals, from eight species, died due to TB, which is likely an underestimated number. In three occasions since 2013, the deer presented positive tuberculin tests, leading to the park closure and culling of all deer. WGS indicated that multiple M. bovis strains were circulating, with at least three founding introductions since the park inauguration in 1977. Using a previously sequenced dataset of 71 M. bovis genomes from cattle, we found no recent transmission events between nearby farms and the park based on WGS. Lastly, by discussing socio‐economic and environmental factors escaping current regulatory gaps that were determinant of this outbreak, we pledge for the development of a plan to report and control bTB in wildlife in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Habitat loss and fragmentation are among the greatest threats to biodiversity and ecosystem stability, with physiological implications on wild fauna. Bats (Microchiroptera) are small mammals with a wide variety of eating habits, and the well-being of these animals is disturbed by exposure to pesticides. This study aimed to develop a miniaturized QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) extraction method for the detection of multi-residue pesticides in bat muscle tissue using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC–MS). A total of 48 pesticides were tested in 250 mg of bat muscle tissue. The developed analytical method was applied to 148 bats collected from two different areas in Minas Gerais State, Southeast Region of Brazil. The method presented good sensitivity and allowed the determination of residues of 48 pesticides in bat muscle using GC–MS. The miniaturized extraction method makes the analysis feasible even when the sample volume is limited. However, no pesticide residues were detected in bats from the two areas investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brazil presents one of the highest COVID-19 death tolls in the world. The initial SARS-CoV-2 epicenter was São Paulo city. As of 2019, the homeless population of São Paulo city was estimated at 24,344 individuals, the largest national homeless population. The present study aimed to concomitantly assess the molecular and serological prevalence and associated risk factors of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a homeless population and related shelter workers from a day-shelter. Serum samples, nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs of persons who are homeless and shelter workers collected from August 25th to 27th, 2020 were tested for the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies by ELISA and SARS-CoV-2 RNA by RT-qPCR, respectively. All swab samples tested negative by RT-qPCR. Seropositivity of IgM and IgG was 5/203 (2.5%) and 111/203 (54.7%) in persons who are homeless, and 5/87 (5.7%) and 41/87 (47.1%) in shelter workers, respectively, with no statistical differences between groups. The high seroprevalence found herein indicates early environmental and urban spreading of SARS-CoV-2, associated with sociodemographic and economic vulnerability. Author summary: Brazil is one of the world's most social-economically unequal countries, with a rising homeless population potentialized by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, particularly in its largest city, São Paulo. While few studies, mostly in high-income countries, have addressed the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on homeless populations, none has been carried out in Brazil. Herein, we report a high SARS-CoV-2 IgG seroprevalence in a homeless population, with 111/203 (54.7%) seropositive individuals. At the time of the study (August 25th- 27th 2020), both homeless and social worker populations showed no active SARS-CoV-2 infection, indicating that they were likely exposed sometime within the pandemic's first peak in the city. Our study has also shown significant risk and protective factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection, including that Black shelter workers were at higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection when compared with the white shelter workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sharp increase of COVID-19 cases in late 2020 has made Brazil the new epicenter of the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The novel viral lineages P.1 (Variant of Concern Gamma) and P.2, respectively identified in the Brazilian states of Amazonas and Rio de Janeiro, have been associated with potentially higher transmission rates and antibody neutralization escape. In this study, we performed the whole-genome sequencing of 185 samples isolated from three out of the five Brazilian regions, including Amazonas (North region), Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba and Bahia (Northeast region), and Rio de Janeiro (Southeast region) in order to monitor the spread of SARS-CoV-2 lineages in Brazil in the first months of 2021. Here, we showed a widespread dispersal of P.1 and P.2 across Brazilian regions and, except for Amazonas, P.2 was the predominant lineage identified in the sampled states. We estimated the origin of P.2 lineage to have happened in February, 2020 and identified that it has differentiated into new clades. Interstate transmission of P.2 was detected since March, but reached its peak in December, 2020 and January, 2021. Transmission of P.1 was also high in December and its origin was inferred to have happened in August 2020. We also confirmed the presence of lineage P.7, recently described in the southernmost region of Brazil, to have spread across the Northeastern states. P.1, P.2 and P.7 are descended from the ancient B.1.1.28 strain, which co-dominated the first phase of the pandemic in Brazil with the B.1.1.33 strain. We also identified the occurrence of a new lineage descending from B.1.1.33 that convergently carries the E484K mutation, N.9. Indeed, the recurrent report of many novel SARS-CoV-2 genetic variants in Brazil could be due to the absence of effective control measures resulting in high SARS-CoV2 transmission rates. Altogether, our findings provided a landscape of the critical state of SARS-CoV-2 across Brazil and confirm the need to sustain continuous sequencing of the SARS-CoV-2 isolates worldwide in order to identify novel variants of interest and monitor for vaccine effectiveness. Author summary: Since its first detection in December 2019, the SARS-CoV-2 has evolved into more than a thousand recognized lineages. Several of these lineages are known to have higher transmissibility or better escape from the immune system. One of them is the P.1 lineage, also known as the variant of concern Gamma. It was first discovered in Brazil in December 2020 and has quickly replaced the previous lineage dominating the country, P.2. We used genomic data from SARS-CoV-2 samples that were collected in the first months of 2021 to analyze how P.1, P.2 and other lineages had spread across Brazil. Our research has identified that P.1 lineage was already present in several states of Brazil almost two months before its first detection in the state of Amazonas. Our work sheds light on the importance of continuous monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 lineages in historically understudied regions to early detect and control the spread of new variants of concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glyphosate residues in grain can be explained by the concentrations and formulations of glyphosate products. This study aimed to evaluate the residues from glyphosate formulations labeled with 14C-glyphosate applied to leaves of glyphosate-resistant soybean (GRS) in two life cycles by liquid scintillation spectrometry. Different plant tissues were analyzed after the end of the plants' life cycles. The experimental design was four repetitions of three treatments: Roundup® Original, Roundup Ready®, and unformulated glyphosate (control). The application of the dosing solution was 120 µL on the first four trifoliate leaves (10 µL per leaflet) of each plant, deposited manually with a 1-µL dispenser. All treatment solutions were calculated at a 1.2 kg a.e ha−1 of glyphosate. Glyphosate formulations of Roundup® Original and Roundup Ready® increased 14C-glyphosate distribution in GRS compared to the unformulated herbicide, regardless of the experiment (first or second cycle). Overall, the percentages of total radioactivity applied (18.33 kBq) found in grains were less than 5%. Grains, stems, and leaves showed the highest levels of herbicide residues compared to other parts of the plant. Despite the Roundup Ready® formulation having increased residues, the highest value found in grains, 1.95 mg kg−1, was less than 10 mg kg−1, the maximum residue limit (MRL) in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Among the Lepidoptera with medical importance in Brazil, larvae of Lonomia moth (Saturniidae: Hemileucinae) stand out by being the etiological agent of the lonomism, a form of erucism in which the most troubling symptoms include systemic hemorrhage that can lead to death. Methods This study provides an epidemiological overview of accident notifications with Lonomia registered by the Brazilian Reportable Disease Information System (SINAN) between 2007 and 2018. The categories of sociodemographic aspects of the victim, accident characteristics, and clinical data (6,636 records) were analysed by the chi-square test for goodness of fit (α=0.05). By the same test, accident frequencies by month, year, and state were also compared. To explore the spatial distribution of notifications and to identify significant space-time and purely spatial clusters, a spatial scan statistic (SaTScan) was used. Results The epidemiological profile of most of the victims had at least one of the following characteristics: male, >50 y of age, ethnically classified as white, and with a low level of education. Accidents in urban areas were as frequent as in rural areas. A higher frequency of non-work-related accidents was detected. Victims were mostly stung on the upper limbs. Most victims received medical care within the first 3 h after the accident. Most cases were classified as mild, although 12 deaths were reported. The south states of Brazil concentrate the highest frequencies of notifications. Summer was the season with the greatest number of cases, and the majority of the notifications occurred between 2017 and 2018. Conclusion These results provide an overall and current situation assessment of the lonomism in Brazil, and they should enable health authorities to improve the management of this envenomation in states/regions that share the high epidemiological risk of exposure to Lonomia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic activities promote changes in community structure and decrease the species abundance of amphibians. The aim of this study was to assess potential alterations in the antioxidant system and cholinesterase activity, histopathological and oxidative damage in Lithobates catesbeianus tadpoles exposed to water from the Cascavel River, in Southern Brazil. Water samples (140 L each) were collected from the headwater, urban and rural areas of the river. Tadpoles were acclimated for seven days. After acclimatization tadpoles were reared in water from the river, except for the control aquarium. After seven days, a portion of the liver was removed and prepared for cholinesterase (ChE), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) analysis; another part of the tissue was prepared for histological examination. An elevation of CAT activity was observed for water from both urban and rural environments. A decrease in LPO reaction was detected, mainly among the tadpoles exposed to water from the rural area. These alternations can cause delay the metamorphosis and lead to metabolic dysfunction, interfering in survival capacity and diminishing, not only individual fitness, but that of the whole population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article, as part of the celebratory special issue, presents the Unisinos Graduate Program in Applied Linguistics which is celebrating its 10th anniversary of CAPES accreditation as a Doctoral Program. It does so by looking back at the origin of the Program and its history, and by reflecting on its current status vis-a-vis the debate about the past and future of Applied Linguistics - both in Brazil and abroad. The article also traces back how the Program evolved into its current understanding of Applied Linguistics - the one that works as a foundation for the core lines of research developed in the Program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The urban environment, understood as the environment changed by man, is represented by the city as a space for coexistence of individuals, endowed with an entire infrastructure composed of public goods and services, which aim at the wellbeing of its inhabitants. When people effectively participate in decision-making interest in cities, they feel more responsible for the outcome of their decisions, providing a political maturity of the population. In both Brazil and Portugal, the Master Plan is the main instrument for planning and regulating cities and the urban environment. The difference between them may lie in the fact that Brazil is one step ahead with popular participation in urban planning and participatory budgeting, probably due to the political and socio-economic characteristics of the country, and the needs that this condition imposes on its inhabitants. Regardless of both Brazil and Portugal already make great efforts in this direction, and the question of community involvement in the decision-making process, urban planning, and participatory budgeting is already addressed and considered (although at different levels, stages, and legal formalization), there is still much to be done in this direction to ensure the effective participation of the population in the construction and evolution of cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In recent years, the use of presprouted setts (MPB, which stands for “mudas pre-brotadas” in Portuguese) to establish commercial sugarcane nurseries has grown in Brazil. MPB and single-bud setts (SBS) have the advantage of requiring less planting material and enabling a higher multiplication rate of the source material as compared with the conventional multibud sett (MBS) planting system. Sugarcane breeding programs could also potentially benefit from the precise spacing afforded by MPB or SBS planting materials, by reducing trial variability. However, the effect of planting material type on the performance ranking and consequent selection of sugarcane clones in a breeding program has not been previously investigated. We present results on possible interactions between genotype and the type of planting material (MPB, MBS, or SBS) on key performance parameters, like sugar content, cane yield, and sugar yield, in the context of the intermediate phase of a sugarcane breeding program. Our results indicate that trial quality does not necessarily improve with the use of MPB or SBS planting materials and that type of planting material has a significant effect on the ranking of sugarcane genotypes, and this needs to be taken into consideration when considering the use of new planting technologies in breeding trials of vegetatively propagated crops such as sugarcane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the sorption-desorption and leaching of aminocyclopyrachlor from three Brazilian soils. The sorption-desorption of 14C-aminocyclopyrachlor was evaluated using the batch method and leaching was assessed in glass columns. The Freundlich model showed an adequate fit for the sorption-desorption of aminocyclopyrachlor. The Freundlich sorption coefficient [Kf (sorption)] ranged from 0.37 to 1.34 mmol (1-1/n) L1/n kg-1 and showed a significant positive correlation with the clay content of the soil, while the Kf (desorption) ranged from 3.62 to 5.36 mmol (1-1/n) L1/n kg¡1. The Kf (desorption) values were higher than their respective Kf (sorption), indicating that aminocyclopyrachlor sorption is reversible, and the fate of this herbicide in the environment can be affected by leaching. Aminocyclopyrachlor was detected at all depths (0-30 cm) in all the studied soils, where leaching was influenced by soil texture. The total herbicide leaching from the sandy clay and clay soils was <0.06%, whereas, ~3% leached from the loamy sand soil. The results suggest that aminocyclopyrachlor has a high potential of leaching, based on its low sorption and high desorption capacities. Therefore, this herbicide can easily contaminate underground water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Two years after the Mais Médicos (More Doctors) Program, (Programa Mais Médicos - PMM) was put in place in Brazil, there is a need to study its feasibility. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the primary healthcare service offered, from the point of view of the health professionals, comparing units which have, and which do not have, doctors from the Mais Médicos Program. It is a quantitative survey, using for data collection the instrument Primary Care Assessment Tool - Brazil, Version for Health Professionals, applied across the totality of the family health units in a medium sized municipality in the interior of the southern Brazilian State of Paraná, from November 2015 to February 2016. It covered 72 professionals, 47 of them allocated in Family Health Strategy (FHS) units and 25 in FHS units containing the Program. In both groups the scores for core attributes (6.93) and general attributes (7.10) were considered to be appropriate to the precepts of primary healthcare. However, the attributes accessibility (4.17), in both groups, and coordination - information system (6.57), in units with the Mais Médicos Program, did not reach the satisfactory level, indicating a need to alter the organization of the Family Health Strategy, whether the PMM program is implemented or not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Odonto Ciencia is the property of EDIPUCRS - Editora Universitaria da PUCRS and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Ciencia, Cuidado e Saude is the property of Universidade Estadual de Maringa and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Ciencia, Cuidado e Saude is the property of Universidade Estadual de Maringa and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: to investigate the relationship between the background noise level in classrooms and the auditory temporal ordering ability for verbal sounds. Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study of a sample of 209 students aged seven to ten years. Noise assessment was performed in 13 classrooms at eight public schools in Belo Horizonte. The procedure was based on the measurement of the the acoustic parameter named equivalent sound pressure level considering empty and furnished classrooms, according to the standard American National Standards Institute (ANSI) S12.60. To assess auditory temporal ordering ability for verbal sounds on students, verbal sequential memory test. For statistical analysis, noise has been categorized by the median value and related to student achievement on the test. Results: with the test results, most students showed normal results and no difference was found related to sex and age. All classrooms had values above the recommended by international standards (ANSI S12.60 and Bulletin 93) and national (Brazilian Association of Technical Standards - NBR10152), which set up appropriate values. By relating the noise with student performance on the test, there were differences, with greater occurrence of changes in the students belonging to the noisiest rooms. Conclusion: the background noise level measured in classrooms are above of those permitted by the standards and there was no relationship between the background noise level in the classrooms and the level of difficulty in auditory temporal ordering ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to verify the effect of a program of functional exercise on body balance in the institutionalized elderly. Six elderly persons participated and were evaluated and reevaluated after 3.5 weeks using the Berg Balance Scale. The program consisted of 14 meetings of 60 minutes each, 4 times a week. The function descriptive analysis of Microsoft 2010 was used. An improved scale score (48.3 ± 4.1 vs 42.8 ± 6.2, P = 0.002) and a decreased risk of falls (84% ± 43% vs 46% ± 29%, P = 0.002) were found. Functional training was sufficient to improve balance and reduce the number of falls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diagnostic of arbovirus-related obstetric complications in high-risk pregnancy and childbirth care is challenging, especially in endemic areas. We conducted a prospective study to track active or recent Zika (ZIKV), dengue (DENV), or chikungunya (CHIKV) virus infection among hospitalized pregnant women (PW) with obstetric complications in a hospital at the epicenter of Zika outbreak and ZIKV-related microcephaly in Brazil. Clinical data and blood samples were collected at enrollment and 10 days after the admission of study participants, between October 2018 and May 2019. Further clinical data were extracted from medical records. Samples were screened by molecular and serological tests. Out of 780 participants, 93.1% (95% CI: 91.1–94.7%) presented previous DENV exposure (IgG). ZIKV, CHIKV, and/or DENV laboratory markers of recent or active infection were detected in 130 PW, yielding a prevalence of 16.6% (95% CI: 14.2–19.5%); 9.4% (95% CI: 7.4–11.7%), 7.4% (95% CI: 5.7–9.7%), and 0.38% (95% CI: 0.1–1.2%) of CHIKV, ZIKV, and DENV infections, respectively. Most ZIKV infections were detected by molecular assays (89.6%), while CHIKV infections were detected by serology (95.9%). Our findings highlight the need for arbovirus infections screening in PW with obstetrical complications, potentially associated to these infections in endemic areas regardless of the signs or symptoms suggestive of arboviral disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Archives of Veterinary Science is the property of Archives of Veterinary Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Hemotrophic mycoplasmas infect a variety of mammals. Although infection in humans is rarely reported, an association with an immunocompromised state has been suggested. We report a case of a Mycoplasma haemofelis- like infection in an HIV-positive patient co-infected with Bartonella henselae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The MBL2 -221 (X/YX) variant was associated with greater risk of DENV infection. • The LXPA haplotype, related to lower MBL levels, was exclusively found in dengue cases. • The frequency of MBL2 structural variants (O/AO) were higher in DENV-naïve children. • Serum levels of total and functional MBL were lower among DENV-infected children. The mannose-binding lectin (MBL) plays an important role in innate immunity. Genetically determined variations in serum levels of MBL may influence the susceptibility and clinical outcome of dengue infection in early life. We investigated the MBL2 gene polymorphisms and serum levels of MBL (total and functional) in children with asymptomatic (n=17) and symptomatic (n=29) primary dengue infections and age-matched uninfected children (n=84) enrolled in a birth cohort with dengue in Brazil. Polymorphisms of the MBL2 gene were assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), whereas the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to quantify serum levels of MBL. We found that the X allele and YX genotype in the MBL2 were more frequent in the dengue cases than in the control group. Likewise, the LXPA haplotype was exclusively found in dengue cases, thus probably related to dengue infection in our setting. Moreover, we found a higher frequency of the O allele and AO genotype in the control group. Serum levels of total and functional MBL were higher in dengue naïve infants than in dengue cases. MBL2 variants related to lower production of serum MBL were associated with dengue infection in infants, whereas intermediate to high levels of total and functional serum MBL were associated with protection against dengue infection. These findings highlight the role of MBL2 variants and serum levels of MBL in the susceptibility of children to dengue disease at early ages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented which is concerned with research which investigated depression symptoms and oral discomfort in elderly adults.

Abstract: Pet owner characteristics such as age, gender, income/social class, marital status, rural/urban residence and household type have been shown to be associated with the number of owned pets. However, few studies to date have attempted to evaluate these associations in Brazil. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to evaluate the association between age and income of owners and the number of owned dogs and cats in a Brazilian urban center. Pinhais, metropolitan area of Curitiba, Southern Brazil, the seventh largest city in Brazil, was chosen for this study. Questionnaires were administered door-to-door between January and February 2007 and data were analyzed by zero-inflated negative binomial (ZINB) models. A total of 13,555 of 30,380 (44.62%) households were interviewed. The majority (62.43%) of households reported having one or more dogs, with one or two dogs being the most common (29.97% and 19.71%, respectively). Cat ownership per household was much lower (P =0.001) than dog ownership, with 90% of the households reported having no owned cats. ZINB analyses indicated that income is not associated with the number of both dogs and cats among households that have pets. However, households from higher income categories were more likely to have dogs (but not cats) when compared to the lowest income category (P <0.05), contradicting a common belief that the poorer the family, the more likely they have pets. Certain age categories were significantly associated with the number of dogs or cats in households that have pets. In addition, most age categories were significantly associated with having dogs and/or cats (P <0.05). In conclusion, our study has found that age but not household income is associated with the number of dogs or cats in households that have pets; higher income households were more likely to have dogs when compared to low-income households. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract Lonomia obliqua Walker 1855 (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) is a species of moth which larvae are responsible for the lonomism, a form of envenomation that has been occurring in Brazil since the 1980s. Despite the importance in public health, the geographical distribution and their ecological aspects are unknown. Therefore, in the present study, we present a potential geographical distribution map for L. obliqua in Brazil, based on the combination of different Ecology Niche Modelling (ENM) algorithms. A total of 38 occurrence points were distributed in the southern/ southeastern regions of Brazil and in the province of Misiones (Argentina), which were divided for calibration and evaluation of the model. Eight continuous climatic and soil variables were selected from 16 previously calculated for model calibration. The final model-map is composed of a combination of four algorithms (Gower, Mahalanobis, MAXENT and SVM), with samples of pseudo-absences outside a Bioclimatic Envelope (BIOCLIM) in quantity equal to the presences. This model-map was binarized from the Low Presence Threshold (LPT) and cut only to the Brazilian area. According to this map, the areas predicted as suitable for L. obliqua are restricted between latitudes ˜12° and ˜32°, and longitudes ˜39° and ˜57°, with extension of 1,181,604 km². The model-map was also validated with external data from samples of the species, at municipality level, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil). From this information, we extracted the values of variables related to climate and soil, and with additional variables related to the land use and type of vegetation, in order to contribute to the ecological knowledge of the species. In general, the map and the ecological information obtained can serve as a tool for public health agents in Brazil to adequately guide preventive strategies and attention to lonomism in the country, and with addendum on habitat loss and accident conditions with the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The novel variant B.1.1.28 (E484 K) previously described in Rio de Janeiro is currently spread across the southernmost state of Brazil. • The novel variant VUI-NP13L was also identified by causing a local outbreak in Rio Grande do Sul. • B.1.1.28 (E484K) is able to establish successful coinfection events co-occurring simultaneously with different lineages of SARS-CoV-2. Emergence of novel SARS-CoV-2 lineages are under the spotlight of the media, scientific community and governments. Recent reports of novel variants in the United Kingdom, South Africa and Brazil (B.1.1.28-E484K) have raised intense interest because of a possible higher transmission rate or resistance to the novel vaccines. Nevertheless, the spread of B.1.1.28 (E484K) and other variants in Brazil is still unknown. In this work, we investigated the population structure and genomic complexity of SARS-CoV-2 in Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost state in Brazil. Most samples sequenced belonged to the B.1.1.28 (E484K) lineage, demonstrating its widespread dispersion. We were the first to identify two independent events of co-infection caused by the occurrence of B.1.1.28 (E484K) with either B.1.1.248 or B.1.91 lineages. Also, clustering analysis revealed the occurrence of a novel cluster of samples circulating in the state (named VUI-NP13L) characterized by 12 lineage-defining mutations. In light of the evidence for E484K dispersion, co-infection and emergence of VUI-NP13 L in Rio Grande do Sul, we reaffirm the importance of establishing strict and effective social distancing measures to counter the spread of potentially more hazardous SARS-CoV-2 strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a case of Burkholderia mallei causing glanders in a 73-year-old patient from the Northeast Region of Brazil. The patient was hospitalized with severe pneumonia. PCR and genomic sequencing confirmed B. mallei in pleural drainage. Genotyping revealed a novel genotype, emphasizing the need for genetic surveillance in zoonotic infections.

Mangroves are complex land-sea transition ecosystems whose microbiota are essential for their nutrient recycling and conservation. Brazil is the third-largest estuarine area in the world and "Baía de Todos os Santos" (BTS) is one of the largest bays of the country, with wide anthropogenic exploration. Using a metagenomic approach, we investigated composition and functional adaptability as signatures of the microbiome of pristine and anthropized areas of BTS, including those under petroleum refinery influence. The taxonomic analysis showed dominance of sulfate-reducing Desulfobacteraceae, Rhodobacteraceae, and Flavobacteriaceae. Taxa were significantly diverse between pristine and disturbed areas. Disturbed mangroves showed a notary increase in abundance of halophilic, sulfur-related, and hydrocarbon-degrading genera and a decrease in diatoms compared to pristine area. The metabolic profile of BTS mangroves was correlated with the differentially abundant microbiota. Two ecological scenarios were observed: one marked by functions of central metabolism associated with biomass degradation and another by mechanisms of microbial adaptability to pollution conditions and environmental degradation. Part of the microbiome was distinct and not abundant in Brazilian estuarine soils. The microbiome signature observed in each BTS mangrove reflects how human actions impact the diversity of these ecosystems and also emphasize their role in attempting to restore disturbed mangroves. The microbiome may act as a potential biological indicator of the preservation status of these soils, despite the limitation of soil property conditions. Additionally, our data pointed to metagenomics as an additional tool for environmental assessment and reinforced the need for protective measures for the mangroves under study., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Introduction: COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 that has become a serious threat to public health owing to its rapid spread from aerosols from infected people. Despite being considered a strictly human disease, there are reports in the literature about animals with confirmed presence of the virus. Aim: Owing to the scarcity of scientific literature on the potential for infection of animals and their importance for One Health, the objective of this work was to research SARS-CoV-2 RNA in felines (Felis silvestris catus) and dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) domiciled. Materials and Methods: Oropharyngeal swabs were collected from domestic dogs and cats belonging to patients diagnosed with COVID-19 from August to October 2021 and residents of the northwest and west regions of Paraná, Brazil. Results: Of the 34 samples collected, 14 were from dogs and 20 from cats. Three of these samples tested positive in real-time PCR, and two of them were also positive in the immunochromatographic test. After testing positive in real-time PCR, the samples underwent genetic sequencing using the Illumina COVIDSeq test. Of the 34 samples collected, three (9%), all of them female and from the feline species, tested positive in real-time PCR, with two of these (67%) also testing positive in the immunochromatographic test. Regarding sequencing, it was possible to sequence the three samples aligned with the AY.101 lineage, corresponding to the Delta variant. Conclusion: The occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in dogs and cats is seen as an unintended event with significant implications for public health, including its potential transmission to other animal species. Further research is required to enhance our understanding of how this disease spreads among these animals and its broader impact on One Health initiatives.

This study aimed to identify factors associated with colonization by community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) in adult patients admitted to a Brazilian hospital. This is a cross-sectional study, in which patients underwent a nasal swab and were asked about hygiene behavior, habits, and clinical history. Among the 702 patients, 180 (25.6%) had S. aureus and 21 (2.9%) MRSA. The factors associated with MRSA colonization were attending a gym (OR 4.71; 95% CI; 1.42 - 15.06), smoking habit in the last year (OR 2.37; 95% CI; 0.88 - 6.38), previous hospitalization (OR 2.18; CI 95%; 0.89 - 5.25), and shared personal hygiene items (OR 1.99; 95% CI; 0.71 - 5.55). At the time of admission, colonization by CA-MRSA isolates was higher than that found in the general population. This can be an important public health problem, already endemic in hospitals, whose factors such as those associated with habits (smoking cigarettes) and behaviors (team sports practice and activities in gyms) have been strongly highlighted. These findings may help developing infection control policies, allowing targeting patients on higher-risk populations for MRSA colonization.

Objectives: Inborn error of immunity (IEI) comprises a broad group of inherited immunological disorders that usually display an overlap in many clinical manifestations challenging their diagnosis. The identification of disease-causing variants from whole-exome sequencing (WES) data comprises the gold-standard approach to ascertain IEI diagnosis. The efforts to increase the availability of clinically relevant genomic data for these disorders constitute an important improvement in the study of rare genetic disorders. This work aims to make available WES data of Brazilian patients' suspicion of IEI without a genetic diagnosis. We foresee a broad use of this dataset by the scientific community in order to provide a more accurate diagnosis of IEI disorders., Data Description: Twenty singleton unrelated patients treated at four different hospitals in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil were enrolled in our study. Half of the patients were male with mean ages of 9 ± 3, while females were 12 ± 10 years old. The WES was performed in the Illumina NextSeq platform with at least 90% of sequenced bases with a minimum of 30 reads depth. Each sample had an average of 20,274 variants, comprising 116 classified as rare pathogenic or likely pathogenic according to American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics and the Association (ACMG) guidelines. The genotype-phenotype association was impaired by the lack of detailed clinical and laboratory information, besides the unavailability of molecular and functional studies which, comprise the limitations of this study. Overall, the access to clinical exome sequencing data is limited, challenging exploratory analyses and the understanding of genetic mechanisms underlying disorders. Therefore, by making these data available, we aim to increase the number of WES data from Brazilian samples despite contributing to the study of monogenic IEI-disorders., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Lonomism is the envenomation caused by accidental contact with Lonomia caterpillars, and this is a public health priority in South America since it is relatively common but remains underestimated. This study presents an updated and integrative analysis of reliable global data from 1960 to 2020 on the epidemiology of this envenomation in the whole continent. A total of 13,186 notifications were recorded for South America: 13,056 (99.01%) in Brazil, 49 (0.37%) in Argentina, 43 (0.33%) in Colombia, 29 (0.22%) in Venezuela, 6 (0.05%) in Peru and 3 (0.02%) in French Guiana. The number of new locations reporting accidents has increased since the first formally notifications at the middle of the last century. Most of these locations are situated in Brazil, the pioneer in deeply researching the Lonomia genus and its impacts in public health. Most victims were males, in the economically productive age group, and accidental contact occurred more frequently in the upper limbs while doing activities outdoors in urban/rural areas. Regarding the determinants of clinical outcome, countries where patients received delayed medical care were associated with a higher number of moderate and/or severe cases, as well as a higher chance of progressing to death. Additionally, the longer the delay for accessing medical care, the higher the risk of developing systemic complications, thereby increasing the need for specific treatment. Our study also shows that accidents globally occurred more frequently in the summer months and in the beginning of autumn. Although having identified several shortcomings in the documents selected and verified that notifications are strongly biased by public policies adopted by each South American country, this study provides the first comprehensive assessment of lonomism in South America, demonstrating the increase in the number of accidents, and their expansion to other areas of the continent over time. Our findings will undoubtedly help guide the appropriate allocation of resources and implementation of prevention strategies and define priority criteria for epidemiological surveillance of this neglected tropical disease., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests:, (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae is an important etiological agent of sheep respiratory disease worldwide. Here, we describe the first isolation and draft genome sequence of M. ovipneumoniae strain USP-BR2017 retrieved from tracheobronchial lavage of a sheep showing clinical signs of respiratory disease in the Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. The culture of tracheobronchial lavage resulted in glucose-fermenting fried egg colonies, which were identified as M. ovipneumoniae by polymerase chain reaction. The genome was sequenced using the Illumina NextSeq 2000 and de novo assembled using SPAdes. The genome of the sequenced organism presented an approximate size of 1,122,253 bp. The annotation revealed 773 coding DNA sequences (CDSs), 806 genes, three rRNAs, and 30 tRNAs. Data analysis revealed M. ovipneumoniae strain USP-BR2017 contains a few virulence genes, including the hemolysing C gene (hlyC). In addition, strain USP-BR2017 showed high identity over the 16S rRNA gene with other sheep isolates from China and United States. This first description of M. ovipneumoniae in diseased Brazilian sheep demonstrates the importance of continuous surveillance and diagnostics of pathogens causing respiratory disease in sheep in Brazil., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for causing Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19), a heterogeneous clinical condition that manifests varying symptom severity according to the demographic profile of the studied population. While many studies have focused on the spread of COVID-19 in large urban centers in Brazil, few have evaluated medium or small cities in the Northeast region. The aims of this study were: (i) to identify risk factors for mortality from SARS-CoV-2 infection, (ii) to evaluate the gene expression patterns of key immune response pathways using nasopharyngeal swabs of COVID-19 patients, and (iii) to identify the circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants in the residents of a medium-sized city in Northeast Brazil. A total of 783 patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 between May 2020 and August 2021 were included in this study. Clinical-epidemiological data from patients who died and those who survived were compared. Patients were also retrospectively divided into three groups based on disease severity: asymptomatic, mild, and moderate/severe. Samples were added to a qPCR array for analyses of 84 genes involved with immune response pathways and sequenced using the Oxford Nanopore MinION technology. Having pre-existing comorbidity; being male; having cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; and PCR cycle threshold (Ct) values under 22 were identified as risk factors for mortality. Analysis of the expression profiles of inflammatory pathway genes showed that the greater the infection severity, the greater the activation of inflammatory pathways, triggering the cytokine storm and downregulating anti-inflammatory pathways. Viral genome analysis revealed the circulation of multiple lineages, such as B.1, B.1.1.28, Alpha, and Gamma, suggesting that multiple introduction events had occurred over time. This study's findings help identify the specific strains and increase our understanding of the true state of local health. In addition, our data demonstrate that epidemiological and genomic surveillance together can help formulate public health strategies to guide governmental actions.

The epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is complex, with multiple interfaces (human-animal-environment). In this context, One Health surveillance is essential for understanding the distribution of microorganisms and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). This report describes a multicentric study undertaken to evaluate the bacterial communities and resistomes of food-producing animals (cattle, poultry, and swine) and healthy humans sampled simultaneously from five Brazilian regions. Metagenomic analysis showed that a total of 21,029 unique species were identified in 107 rectal swabs collected from distinct hosts, the highest numbers of which belonged to the domain Bacteria , mainly Ruminiclostridium spp. and Bacteroides spp., and the order Enterobacterales . We detected 405 ARGs for 12 distinct antimicrobial classes. Genes encoding antibiotic-modifying enzymes were the most frequent, followed by genes related to target alteration and efflux systems. Interestingly, carbapenemase-encoding genes such as bla AIM-1 , bla CAM-1 , bla Humans and food production animals have been reported to be important reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes (ARGs). The frequency of these multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria tends to be higher in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), due mainly to a lack of public health policies. Although studies on AMR in humans or animals have been carried out in Brazil, this is the first multicenter study that simultaneously collected rectal swabs from humans and food-producing animals for metagenomics. Our results indicate high microbial diversity among all analyzed hosts, and several ARGs for different antimicrobial classes were also found. As far as we know, we have detected for the first time ARGs encoding carbapenemases, such as GIM-2 , and bla HMB-1 were identified in distinct hosts. Our results revealed that, in general, the bacterial communities from humans were present in isolated clusters, except for the Northeastern region, where an overlap of the bacterial species from humans and food-producing animals was observed. Additionally, a large resistome was observed among all analyzed hosts, with emphasis on the presence of carbapenemase-encoding genes not previously reported in Latin America. IMPORTANCE Humans and food production animals have been reported to be important reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes (ARGs). The frequency of these multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria tends to be higher in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), due mainly to a lack of public health policies. Although studies on AMR in humans or animals have been carried out in Brazil, this is the first multicenter study that simultaneously collected rectal swabs from humans and food-producing animals for metagenomics. Our results indicate high microbial diversity among all analyzed hosts, and several ARGs for different antimicrobial classes were also found. As far as we know, we have detected for the first time ARGs encoding carbapenemases, such as bla AIM-1 , bla CAM-1 , bla GIM-2 , and bla HMB-1 , in Latin America. Thus, our results support the importance of metagenomics as a tool to track the colonization of food-producing animals and humans by antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. In addition, a network surveillance system called GUARANI, created for this study, is ready to be expanded and to collect additional data.

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.