Publications by authors named "Alcantara L"

Lung volume recruitment (LVR) is a stacked-breath assisted inflation technique in which consecutive insufflations are delivered, without exhaling in between, until the maximum tolerable inflation capacity is reached. Although LVR is recommended in some neuromuscular disease guidelines, there is little information detailing when and how allied health professionals (AHPs) prescribe LVR. This study is aimed at describing the use of LVR in practice across Brazil.

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Wolbachia-based mosquito control strategies have gained significant attention as a sustainable approach to reduce the transmission of vector-borne diseases such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. These endosymbiotic bacteria can limit the ability of mosquitoes to transmit pathogens, offering a promising alternative to traditional chemical-based interventions. With the growing impact of climate change on mosquito population dynamics and disease transmission, Wolbachia interventions represent an adaptable and resilient strategy for mitigating the public health burden of vector-borne diseases.

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poses a significant global health threat due to its multidrug-resistance and outbreak potential. In this study, we report its emergence in Minas Gerais, Brazil, supported by genomic surveillance that identified Clade-IV isolates, suggested a potential introduction from Colombia, and detected a missense mutation associated with azole resistance.

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Dengue virus circulation is on the rise globally, with increased epidemic activity in previously unaffected countries, including within Europe. In 2023, global dengue activity peaked, and Italy reported the highest number of dengue cases and local chains of transmission to date. By curating several sources of information, we introduce a novel data repository focused on dengue reporting in Italy.

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: The chikungunya virus (CHIKV), transmitted by infected Aedes mosquitoes, has caused a significant number of infections worldwide. In Brazil, the emergence of the CHIKV-ECSA genotype in 2014 posed a major public health challenge due to its association with more severe symptoms. : This study aimed to shed new light on the host immune response by examining the whole-blood transcriptomic profile of both CHIKV-acute and chronically infected individuals from Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil, a region heavily affected by CHIKV, Dengue, and Zika virus epidemics.

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In March 2024, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert in response to a rapid increase in Oropouche fever cases across South America. Brazil has been particularly affected, reporting a novel reassortant lineage of the Oropouche virus (OROV) and expansion to previously non-endemic areas beyond the Amazon Basin. Utilising phylogeographic approaches, we reveal a multi-scale expansion process with both short and long-distance dispersal events, and diffusion velocities in line with human-mediated jumps.

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Article Synopsis
  • - A 7-year-old child developed dengue symptoms after receiving the Qdenga vaccine, with initial tests showing negative results but later confirming a DENV4 infection.
  • - Advanced sequencing techniques revealed the presence of viral RNA from both DENV2 and DENV4, identified as strains derived from the vaccine rather than wild-type viruses.
  • - This case highlights the importance of accurate diagnostic practices in vaccinated individuals, emphasizing the need for better understanding of vaccine-induced viremia to enhance dengue surveillance and public health strategies.
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  • * An analysis of viral genome sequences combined with epidemiological data revealed that Italy experienced four significant epidemic waves between 2021 and 2023, marked by reduced fatalities and influenced by variants like Alpha, Delta, and Omicron.
  • * This study emphasizes the need for adaptable public health strategies and continuous genomic surveillance to effectively track virus evolution and prepare for potential future outbreaks.
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West Nile Virus (WNV) poses a significant global public health threat as a mosquito-borne pathogen. While laboratory mouse models have historically played a crucial role in understanding virus biology, recent research has focused on utilizing immunocompromised models to study arboviruses like dengue and Zika viruses, particularly their interactions with mosquitoes. However, there has been a shortage of suitable mouse models for investigating WNV and St.

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Background: The human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) infections in Brazil are predominantly caused by two subtypes, B and C.

Objectives: Here we present the characterisation of a novel HIV-1 recombinant form, indicating a new Brazilian CRF_BC, named CRF146_BC.

Methods: RDP, JphMM and Simplot recombination tools were used to evaluate the mosaic pattern.

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Dengue virus (DENV) is currently causing epidemics of unprecedented scope in endemic settings and expanding to new geographical areas. It is therefore critical to track this virus using genomic surveillance. However, the complex patterns of viral genomic diversity make it challenging to use the existing genotype classification system.

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We report acute Oropouche virus infections in 2 previously healthy women from a nonendemic region of Brazil outside the Amazon Basin. Infections rapidly progressed to hemorrhagic manifestations and fatal outcomes in 4-5 days. These cases highlight the critical need for enhanced surveillance to clarify epidemiology of this neglected disease.

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Article Synopsis
  • Since 2021, Brazil has faced a surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths due to new variants of concern (VOC) and low vaccination rates, which have led to the emergence of more mutations.
  • The study aimed to assess whether local genomic surveillance and epidemiological data can reflect nationwide trends in the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Findings revealed three key variant replacements (Gamma, Delta, and Omicron) and highlighted that vaccination became increasingly effective in preventing new cases and deaths as the pandemic progressed.
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Background: Dengue fever remains a significant public health challenge in tropical and subtropical regions, with its transmission dynamics being influenced by both environmental factors and human mobility. The Dominican Republic, a biodiversity hotspot in the Caribbean, has experienced recurrent dengue outbreaks, yet detailed understanding of the virus's transmission pathways and the impact of climatic factors remains limited. This study aims to elucidate the recent transmission dynamics of the dengue virus (DENV) in the Dominican Republic, utilizing a combination of genomic sequencing and epidemiological data analysis, alongside an examination of historical climate patterns.

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This study examines the epidemiological and genomic characteristics, along with the transmission dynamics, of SARS-CoV-2 within prison units I and II in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Conducted between May and October 2022, it reveals how the virus spreads in the confined settings of prisons, emphasizing the roles of overcrowded cells, frequent transfers, and limited healthcare access. The research involved 1927 participants (83.

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Acute febrile illness (AFI) and severe neurological disorders (SNDs) often present diagnostic challenges due to their potential origins from a wide range of infectious agents. Nanopore metagenomics is emerging as a powerful tool for identifying the microorganisms potentially responsible for these undiagnosed clinical cases. In this study, we aim to shed light on the etiological agents underlying AFI and SND cases that conventional diagnostic methods have not been able to fully elucidate.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Sewage surveillance is a useful method for detecting viruses in local communities and can help track outbreaks and emerging health threats, as demonstrated in Belo Horizonte, Brazil through the detection of the Mpox virus in wastewater samples over 9 months.
  • - The study found varied detection rates of MPXV DNA, with higher rates in hospital wastewater (40%) compared to municipal wastewater (13.3%), likely influenced by the low number of reported MPXV cases and dilution from large populations served by wastewater treatment plants.
  • - In addition to MPXV, nine other virus families were identified, including SARS-CoV-2, highlighting the potential of genomic sewage surveillance as a key public health tool for monitoring diverse viral activity in both hospital and community settings
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We aimed to describe the landscape, including molecular, epidemiological, and clinical aspects of CHIKV infections in the Ribeirao Preto region, an area endemic to dengue. We randomly screened 3744 plasma samples that had undergone DENV diagnosis to evaluate CHIKV-RNA using an in-house RT-PCR assay. Positive samples were followed clinically, and RNA samples were submitted to whole genome sequencing.

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Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has emerged as a significant public health concern due to its rapid spread and potential for causing debilitating epidemics. In Argentina, the virus has garnered attention since its introduction to the Americas in 2013, due to its growing incidence and impact in neighbouring countries. Here we present a comprehensive analysis of the spatiotemporal dynamics of CHIKV in Argentina, focusing on the evolutionary trajectory of its genetic variants.

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Dengue virus (DENV) is currently causing epidemics of unprecedented scope in endemic settings and expanding to new geographical areas. It is therefore critical to track this virus using genomic surveillance. However, the complex patterns of viral genomic diversity make it challenging to use the existing genotype classification system.

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