Publications by authors named "Alana V B Costa"
Unlabelled: The monkeypox virus (MPXV) outbreak, primarily endemic to Africa, has spread globally, with Brazil reporting the second-highest number of cases. The emergence of MPXV in non-endemic areas has raised concerns, particularly due to the co-circulation of other exanthematous viruses such as varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and molluscum contagiosum virus (MOCV). To perform an accurate differential diagnosis of MPXV during the ongoing outbreak in Minas Gerais, Brazil, a 5PLEX qPCR assay targeting orthopoxviruses (OPV), VZV, and MOCV was used to retrospectively analyze all clinical samples that tested negative for MPXV in the initial screening conducted at Funed.
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- The COVID-19 pandemic and new variants of SARS-CoV-2 have significant global health impacts, highlighting the need for effective monitoring strategies.
- This study investigates the use of high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis paired with one-step real-time reverse transcription PCR as a rapid method to detect SARS-CoV-2 mutations that may affect interactions with hosts.
- HRM analysis successfully distinguished various SARS-CoV-2 variants and shows promise for enhancing genomic surveillance, allowing for more targeted and timely whole genome sequencing of new strains.
Article Synopsis
- - A study analyzed 34 monkeypox virus genomes from patients in Minas Gerais, Brazil, which showed that the virus was initially imported in early June 2022.
- - After the importation, the virus began spreading within the community in the state.
- - All analyzed genomes were part of the B.1 lineage linked to a global outbreak of mpox, providing crucial information for public health responses.
In early May 2022, the first worldwide monkeypox virus (MPXV) outbreak was reported, with different clinical aspects from previously studied human monkeypox infections. Despite monkeypox medical importance, much of its biological aspects remain to be further investigated. In the present work, we evaluated ultrastructural aspects of MPXV asynchronous infections in Vero cells by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
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- The study investigates the spread of the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 in Minas Gerais, Brazil, highlighting its introduction and dominance, which reached 70% of cases within 8 weeks during mid 2021.
- Using PCR genotyping and genome sequencing, it is shown that Delta is more transmissible than the earlier Gamma variant, but this increase in transmissibility did not lead to a rise in cases or deaths, likely due to vaccination efforts.
- The research also identifies Rio de Janeiro as the primary source for the Delta variant's spread in Minas Gerais, suggesting effective control measures despite the heightened transmissibility of the variant.
Seroprevalence estimate and risk factors for Coxiella burnetii infections among humans in a highly urbanised Brazilian state.
Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg
March 2022
Background: Q fever is among the top 13 global priority zoonoses, however, it is still neglected and under-reported in most of the world, including Brazil. Thus, we evaluated the seroprevalence of and the risk factors for Coxiella burnetii infections in humans from Minas Gerais, a highly urbanised Brazilian state.
Methods: Coxiella burnetii was searched for patient samples (n=437), which were suspected of then later confirmed as negative for dengue fever, by the indirect immunofluorescence technique and real-time PCR.
Autochthonous Zika virus (ZIKV) transmission in Brazil was first identified in April 2015 in Brazil, with the first ZIKV-associated microcephaly cases detected in October 2015. Despite efforts on understanding ZIKV transmission in Brazil, little is known about the virus epidemiology and genetic diversity in Minas Gerais (MG), the second most populous state in the country. We report molecular and genomic findings from the main public health laboratory in MG.
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