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In this observational case–control study, 107 cutaneous adverse reaction (CAR) cases (CAR+) manifesting up to 12 weeks after the start of treatment with antiseizure medication (ASM) were identified. Control groups consisted of 98 epilepsy patients without a history of CAR (CAR‐) and 3965 healthy individuals in the Brazilian National Registry of Bone Marrow Donors. All participants were HLA typed by high‐resolution Next Generation Sequencing for HLA‐A, B, C, DQB1 and DRB1; HLA‐DPA1, DPB1, DQA1, DRB3, DRB4 and DRB5 were also sequenced in samples from CAR+ and CAR‐ individuals. The relationship between the carrier frequency of each allele, CAR type and ASM for all participants was investigated. The ASMs most frequently associated with CAR were carbamazepine (48% of CAR+ subjects), lamotrigine (23%), phenytoin (18%), phenobarbital (13%) and oxcarbazepine (5%). The main alleles associated with a risk of CAR were HLA‐A*02:05 (OR = 6.28; p = 0.019, carbamazepine or oxcarbazepine); HLA‐DPA1*02:02 (OR = 4.16, p = 0.003, carbamazepine); HLA‐B*53:01 (OR = 47.9, p = 0.014, oxcarbazepine), HLA‐DPA1*03:01/DPB1*105:01 (OR = 25.7, p = 0.005, phenobarbital); HLA‐C*02:10 (OR = 25.7, p = 0.005, phenobarbital) and HLA‐DRB1*04:02 (OR = 17.22, p = 0.007, phenytoin). HLA‐A*03:01 increased the risk for phenytoin‐induced maculopapular exanthema 4.71‐fold (p = 0.009), and HLA‐B*35:02 was associated with a 25.6‐fold increase in the risk of carbamazepine‐induced Stevens‐Johnson syndrome (p = 0.005). None of the 4170 subjects carried the HLA‐B*15:02 allele, and HLA‐A*31:01 was not associated with CAR. Hence, HLA‐A*31:01 and HLA‐B*15:02 were not associated with CAR in this population. Although other HLA class I and II alleles tested were associated with a risk of CAR, none of these associations were strong enough to warrant HLA testing before prescribing ASM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cryptococcosis is a devastating opportunistic infection in immunocompromised individuals, primarily in people living with HIV/AIDS. This study evaluated a protocol for the early diagnosis of meningitis due to C. neoformans, utilizing established molecular techniques from serum and CSF samples. Methods: The 18S and 5.8S (rDNA-ITS) sequence-specific nested PCR assays were compared with direct India ink staining and the latex agglutination test for detection of C. neoformans in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 49 Brazilian suspected meningitis patients. Results were validated with samples obtained from 10 patients negative for cryptococcosis and HIV, and by analysis of standard C. neoformans strains. Principal findings: The 5.8S DNA-ITS PCR was more sensitive (89–100%) and specific (100%) than the 18S rDNA PCR and conventional tests (India ink staining and latex agglutination) for identification of C. neoformans. While the 18S PCR exhibited a sensitivity (72%) similar to that of the latex agglutination assay in serum samples, it was superior to the latex agglutination assay when testing CSF, with a sensitivity of 84%. However, the latex agglutination was superior to the 18SrDNA PCR in specificity in CSF (92%). The 5.8S DNA-ITS PCR yielded the highest levels of accuracy (96–100%) of any test for detection (serological and mycological) of C. neoformans in both serum and CSF. Conclusion: Use of the nested 5.8S PCR was superior to other techniques for the diagnosis of cryptococcosis. The possibility of using serum, a non-invasively collected material, in a targeted 5.8S PCR analysis to identify Cryptococcus spp. is recommended, especially in immunosuppressed patients. Our results indicate that nested 5.8S PCR can increase the diagnostic capability of cryptococcosis, and we suggest its use to monitor patients in the future. Author summary: Cryptococcal meningitis is an infectious disease of global importance with high morbidity and mortality, especially among individuals with HIV/AIDS. While there have been improvements in the last two decades in the diagnosis of Cryptococcus neoformans, the methods presently employed are problematic for public hospitals in Brazil and other locations due to their extreme cost. In this study, we present a low-cost option for detection and identification of C. neoformans in noninvasive serum sample in immunosuppressed individuals, including those with HIV/AIDS. A nested PCR (5.8SrDNA-ITS) associated with the latex agglutination test has high precision in detection of suspected Cryptococcus spp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Brazil faced a yellow fever(YF) outbreak in 2016–2018 and vaccination was considered for autoimmune rheumatic disease patients(ARD) with low immunosuppression due to YF high mortality. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate, prospectively for the first time, the short-term immunogenicity of the fractional YF vaccine(YFV) immunization in ARD patients with low immunossupression. Objective: Methodology and principal findings: A total of 318 participants(159 ARD and 159 age- and sex-matched healthy controls) were vaccinated with the fractional-dose(one fifth) of 17DD-YFV. All subjects were evaluated at entry(D0), D5, D10, and D30 post-vaccination for clinical/laboratory and disease activity parameters for ARD patients. Post-vaccination seroconversion rate(83.7%vs.96.6%, p = 0.0006) and geometric mean titers(GMT) of neutralizing antibodies[1143.7 (95%CI 1012.3–1292.2) vs.731 (95%CI 593.6–900.2), p<0.001] were significantly lower in ARD compared to controls. A lower positivity rate of viremia was also identified for ARD patients compared to controls at D5 (53%vs.70%, p = 0.005) and the levels persisted in D10 for patients and reduced for controls(51%vs.19%, p = 0.0001). The viremia was the only variable associated with seroconvertion. No serious adverse events were reported. ARD disease activity parameters remained stable at D30(p>0.05). Objective: Conclusion: Fractional-dose 17DD-YF vaccine in ARD patients resulted in a high rate of seroconversion rate(>80%) but lower than controls, with a longer but less intense viremia. This vaccine was immunogenic, safe and did not induce flares in ARD under low immunosuppression and may be indicated in YF outbreak situations and for patients who live or travel to endemic areas. Trial registration: This clinical trial was registered with Clinicaltrials.gov (#NCT03430388). Author summary: Yellow fever is a viral hemorragic fever with high mortality rate and the vaccine is a remarkably successful way of preventing it. As a live attenuated virus vaccine, it isnot recommended for rheumatic and other immunossupressed patients in general. However, in an outbreak scenario, the risk of dying of the disease can be higher than the risk of a vaccine serious adverse event. In 2018, the fractional-dose yellow fever vaccine was offered to the hospital employees and to the rheumatic patients without or with low immunossupression therapy in Hospital das Clinicas of University of São Paulo, during the yellow fever outbreak in São Paulo, Brazil. In order to optimize the yellow fever vaccine (YFV) supply, the fractional-dose (corresponding to one fifth) was adopted in the public vaccine campaign. This is the first study evaluating the primary vaccination with fractional-dose YFV in autoimmune rheumatic diseases(ARD) patients (n = 159) under low immunosuppression. Most vaccinated participants were able to produce enough neutralizing antibodies to be protected against yellow fever (seroconversion rate of 84% versus 96% in healthy controls). Neither activity of the rheumatic disease or serious adverse event was identified during the 30 days of followup after the vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on a study regarding coypu or Myocastor coypus population in the floodplain of Paraná River, Argentina. It notes the role of sexual behaviour of coypu during then authorised hunting season (AHS) and outside the hunting season (OHS). Moreover, it presents the author's hypothesise on the results of the study relative to the compensatory effect of habitat conditions and negative effect of hunting pressure.

The article analyses the emergence of organizations that originated Embraer Corp., i.e., the Ministry of Aeronautics, the Aeronautics Technological Center and the Aeronautics Technological Institute, founded in the 1940's and 1950's. This paper analyses the Embraer's involvement with the Aeronautics' national defense strategic project. This strategic project of the officials of the Brazilian Air Force was tied to the problematics of the national security and was connected with the spacious commitment of the soldiers in the political Brazilian process. In this sense, Embraer resembles the oil producing and iron and steel industries, which also disposed of active participation of the soldiers in the installation. The strategical project, from which later on the foundation of Embraer was derived, prioritized the formation of human resources of high level, capable of not only absorbing the technological knowledge that appeared in the form accelerated in the international scenery, but also of looking for solutions appropriate to the national context. This was at a time where Brazil was characterized for a predominantly agricultural economy and, therefore, highly dependant of the industrialized arrived products from abroad.

Since 2004, Brazil has been the leading exporter of chicken. Because of the importance of this sector in the Brazilian economy, food safety must be ensured by control and monitoring of the production stages susceptible to contamination, such as the chilling process. The goal of this study was to evaluate changes in microbial levels on chicken carcasses and in chilling water after immersion in a chilling system for 8 and 16 h during commercial processing. An objective of the study was to encourage discussion regarding the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture Livestock and Food Supply regulation that requires chicken processors to completely empty, clean, and disinfect each tank of the chilling system after every 8-h shift. Before and after immersion chilling, carcasses were collected and analyzed for mesophilic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, coliforms, and Escherichia coil Samples of water from the chilling system were also analyzed for residual free chlorine. The results do not support required emptying of the chiller tank after 8 h; these tanks could be emptied after 16 h. The results for all carcasses tested at the 8- and 16-h time points indicated no significant differences in the microbiological indicators evaluated. These data provide both technical and scientific support for discussing changes in federal law regarding the management of immersion chilling water systems used as part of the poultry processing line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• 94% of healthcare professionals were not aware about Tdap vaccine recommendations. • Only 1 in 5 healthcare professionals was Tdap vaccinated. • 16% of healthcare professionals were seronegative for pertussis. • 21% of HCPs with no history of Tdap vaccination had anti-PT IgG ≥ 50 IU/ml. Worldwide, tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination coverage of healthcare professionals (HCPs) is below 40%, but this data is not available for Brazil. We hypothesize that a high number of HCPs are not immune to pertussis in Brazil. Main objective was to determine the seroprevalence of anti-pertussis toxin (anti-PT IgG) among HCPs. Secondary objectives were to evaluate Tdap vaccination coverage, to assess predictive factors associated with anti-PT IgG, and to estimate the decay of anti-PT IgG and time to Tdap vaccination. Observational cross-sectional serological study in 352 HCPs who worked at São Paulo Hospital - Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP) in 2020, approved by UNIFESP Ethics Committee. Data collected included sociodemographics, knowledge about Tdap, and vaccination status. Anti-PT IgG were quantified by ELISA: <10 IU/mL seronegative and ≥ 10–1000 IU/mL seropositive. Titers ≥ 10–50 IU/mL were classified low positivity, indicating no recent B. pertussis infection or Tdap vaccination; >50 IU/mL high positivity, indicating recent B. pertussis infection or Tdap vaccination, and > 100 IU/mL as acute B. pertussis infection or Tdap vaccination in the previous year. Comparisons were done by Chi-square test, multivariable logistic regression, and Pearsońs correlation, at 5% p-level. 331/352 HCPs were not aware the Brazilian National Immunization Program recommends Tdap for all HCPs and pregnant women. 68/339 HCPs received Tdap (mean 3.1 ± 2.0 years). 55/352 were seronegative for pertussis, all unvaccinated. 56/271 with no history of Tdap vaccination had high positivity. The probability of anti-PT IgG > 50 IU/mL was 11.5 times higher in Tdap vaccinated HCPs than in non-vaccinated (p < 0.001). There was a weak but significant correlation between anti-PT IgG and interval of Tdap vaccination (r = 0.404; p = 0.001). Anti-PT IgG dropped 5 IU/mL/year (p = 0.001). Better education of HCPs on needs and benefits of Tdap vaccination is critical. Goals must be to improve HCPs vaccination coverage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis B is a severe disease when acquired during the neonatal period. The identification of the infected pregnant women allows prevention of newborn infection by active and passive immunization soon after birth. We studied pregnant women in their first visit to eight different primary medical centers in Butantan, a subdistrict of S. Paulo city. 477 samples were tested for anti-HBc. From 44 (9.2%) anti-HBc positive samples, 2 (0.4%) were HBsAg positive and 37 (7.7%) were anti-HBs positive. A risk factor for hepatitis B could only be detected in 8 (18.9%) of the 44 anti-HBc positive samples.