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Objective: To assess the diagnostic performance of lateral flow immunochromatographic assays (LFAs) of 4 different manufacturers to identify SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (IgM, IgG, or total), comparing them with the nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) or the clinical defined test (definite or probable SARS-CoV-2 infection, respectively). Methods: One hundred nineteen serum samples were randomly selected by convenience and distributed in the following groups: (1) group with SARS-CoV-2 infection (n = 82; RT-qPCR positive [definite, n = 70] and probable [n = 12]); (2) other diseases (n = 27; other viruses identified [n = 8] and SARS of other etiologies [n = 19]); and (3) healthy control group (n = 10). LFAs of 4 manufacturers were compared: MedTest Coronavirus (COVID-19) IgG/IgM (MedLevensohn, Brazil); COVID-19 IgG/IgM ECO Test (Ecodiagnóstica, Brazil); Camtech COVID-19 IgM/IgG Rapid Test Kit (Camtech Diagnostics Pte Ltd, Singapore); and 1-Step COVID-19 Test for total antibodies (Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech Co., China). Results: The 4 tests studied showed high diagnostic performance characteristics for the diagnoses of definite or probable SARS-CoV-2 infection. The best measures were for the Wondfo test: sensitivity (86.59%; 95% CI: 77.26–93.11%), specificity (100%; 90.51–100%), DOR (257; 60–1,008), LR+ (33.43; 4.82–231.85), LR− (0.13; 0.08–0.23), accuracy (90.76%; 84.06–95.29%), and Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC) 0.82. Although considering only the probable SARS-CoV-2 infection (PCR−) cases, all the kits studied showed limited values. Conclusion: Our data demonstrate the excellent performance of LFA for the diagnoses of definite or probable SARS-CoV-2 infection. There was substantial heterogeneity in sensitivities of IgM and IgG antibodies among the different kits. LFA tests cannot replace molecular diagnostics but should be used as an additional screening tool.

It is well described by many authors the occurrence of viruses outbreaks that occurs annually at the same time. Epidemiological studies could generate important information about seasonality and its relation to outbreaks, population fluctuations, geographical variations, seasonal environmental. The purpose of this study was to show the influence of temperature and rainfall on the main viral diseases responsible for high rates of morbidity and mortality. Data were collected from samples performed at the Virology Laboratory of the Hospital de Clinicas da Universidade Federal do Parana (HC-UFPR), which is a university tertiary hospital, in the period of 2003 to 2013. The temperature (°C) and mean monthly rainfall (mm) data was provided by the Sistema Meteorologico do Parana (SIMEPAR-PR). The study of viral respiratory infection has revealed an incidence and pattern of seasonal prevalence of the respiratory viruses in Curitiba city, Southern Brazil. It was observed that in the months when the temperatures were lower, especially during June and July, there were an increasing number of samples collected as well as positive scores. For Rotavirus infections it was observed an increase in positive cases was observed in certain years, particularly during the colder months. Enteroviruses circulated in higher frequency during summer months with a median temperature of 21.5°C. Herpesviruses were distributed along the year but its circulation was not observed during the winter months. In conclusion it was observed the seasonality pattern of the viruses’ circulation in Curitiba city, on the other hand rainfall did not demonstrated the same pattern.

Objectives This study aims to detect the SARS-CoV-2 infection prevalence in asymptomatic pregnant women. Methods A group of 195 asymptomatic pregnant women who attended the prenatal care outclinic and to the obstetric emergency department was tested concomitantly for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR and serological tests. Results The virus was detected by RT-PCR in two (1.02%) cases and 17 (8.71%) patients had antibodies detected by immunochromatographic tests. Conclusions Due to the high risk of this emerging infection in the health of pregnant women, fetuses and newborns, we suggest the universal screening of all pregnant women admitted to hospital through the combined method RT-PCR and serological.

Human adenovirus (HAdV) has been recognized as a significant viral pathogen implicated in neurological diseases, particularly in immunocompromised patients. However, its involvement in meningoencephalitis remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate HAdV and other viral co-infections in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients suspected of having either meningoencephalitis or encephalitis. A total of 373 CSF samples from patients under clinical suspicion of neurological viral infection were included in this study. HAdV was investigated by conventional or multiplex real-time PCR, for different time periods. The frequency of HAdV central nervous system (CNS) infection was 1.08%, predominating in female patients with a predisposing condition, and presented with HAdV encephalitis. HAdV CNS infection was found to occur during the months of autumn and winter. The frequency of HAdV detected in CSF positive samples increased after the change in the diagnostic method from conventional to multiplex real-time PCR. There were no specific NMRI or EEG characteristics and two CSF samples with HAdV encephalitis had normal CSF WBC count. There were two cases of co-infection with HIV; no other co-infections with enterovirus or herpes family viruses were detected. All patients had good outcome. Although HAdV is rarely observable in CNS infectious syndromes, it must be investigated particularly in immunocompromised patients.