Publications by authors named "Erik Reis"

Yellow fever virus (YFV) circulates in a sylvatic cycle between non-human primates (NHPs) and arboreal mosquitoes in Brazil. Passive monitoring of ill or deceased NHPs is a key component of the Brazilian yellow fever (YF) surveillance program. Samples from NHPs carcasses are usually suitable for molecular tests but not for serological assays.

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Article Synopsis
  • Superinfection inhibition occurs when certain viruses prevent additional viruses from entering infected host cells, ensuring the genetic dominance of the first virus.
  • Research has explored this phenomenon in giant amoeba-infecting viruses, specifically mimivirus and moumouvirus, which have shown the ability to inhibit new infections, while megavirus does not.
  • The study highlights that mimivirus and moumouvirus disrupt amoebic phagocytosis, altering host cell behavior, whereas megavirus allows continued entry of new virions, indicating significant differences in viral-host interactions despite their evolutionary similarities.
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The discovery of mimivirus in 2003 prompted the search for novel giant viruses worldwide. Despite increasing interest, the diversity and distribution of giant viruses is barely known. Here, we present data from a 2012-2022 study aimed at prospecting for amoebal viruses in water, soil, mud, and sewage samples across Brazilian biomes, using Acanthamoeba castellanii for isolation.

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Unlabelled: Marseilleviruses (MsV) are a group of viruses that compose the Marseilleviridae family within the Nucleocytoviricota phylum. They have been found in different samples, mainly in freshwater. MsV are classically organized into five phylogenetic lineages (A/B/C/D/E), but the current taxonomy does not fully represent all the diversity of the MsV lineages.

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Introduction: Vaccines are essential for the prevention and control of several diseases, indeed, monitoring the immune response generated by vaccines is crucial. The immune response generated by vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 in children and adolescents is not well defined regarding to the intensity and medium to long-term duration of a protective immune response, which may point out the need of booster doses and might support the decisions in public health.

Objective: The study aims to evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (CoronaVac) in a two-dose primary protocol in children and adolescent aging from 3 to 17 years old in Brazil.

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Here, the antiviral activity of aminoadamantane derivatives were evaluated against SARS-CoV-2. The compounds exhibited low cytotoxicity to Vero, HEK293 and CALU-3 cells up to a concentration of 1,000 µM. The inhibitory concentration (IC) of aminoadamantane was 39.

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Beginning December 2016, sylvatic yellow fever (YF) outbreaks spread into southeastern Brazil, and Minas Gerais state experienced two sylvatic YF waves (2017 and 2018). Following these massive YF waves, we screened 187 free-living non-human primate (NHPs) carcasses collected throughout the state between January 2019 and June 2021 for YF virus (YFV) using RTqPCR. One sample belonging to a Callithrix, collected in June 2020, was positive for YFV.

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The present study sought to search for the immunodominance related to the N-terminal, Central and C-terminal regions of HTLV-1 Tax using novel, cutting-edge peptide microarray analysis. In addition, in silico predictions were performed to verify the presence of nine amino acid peptides present along Tax restricted to the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2.02*01 haplotype, as well as to verify the ability to induce pro-inflammatory and regulatory cytokines, such as IFN-γ and IL-4, respectively.

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Mayaro virus (MAYV) is mainly found in Central and South America and causes a febrile illness followed by debilitating arthritis and arthralgia similar to chikungunya virus (CHIKV). Infection leads to long-term sequelae with a direct impact on the patient's productive capacity, resulting in economic losses. Mayaro fever is a neglected disease due to the limited epidemiological data.

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The chikungunya virus has spread globally with a remarkably high attack rate. Infection causes arthralgic sequelae that can last for years. Nevertheless, there are no specific drugs or vaccines to contain the virus.

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Dengue virus (DENV) is the most prevalent pathogen of the family. Due to the considerable increase in DENV incidence and spread, symptoms such as CNS involvement have increased. Heparan sulphate (HS) was the first molecule identified as an adhesion factor for DENV in mammalian cells.

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The recent introduction of Zika virus (ZIKV), the recurrence of dengue virus (DENV), and the lethality of yellow fever virus (YFV) have had a significant impact on Brazilian society and public health. Here, we targeted two cellular kinases implicated in cell proliferation and cancer that are also important for viral replication: mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) and Src. We used two MEK inhibitors - trametinib and selumetinib - and two Src inhibitors - saracatinib and bosutinib - to inhibit ZIKV, DENV, and YFV replication in cell culture.

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Article Synopsis
  • * A study in Brazil found that 5.25% of public surfaces tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, highlighting the virus's presence in urban areas, especially around hospitals and public squares.
  • * Monitoring public surfaces for the virus is essential to understand infection risks and to strategize ongoing pandemic containment efforts.
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Background: After the isolation of Acanthamoeba polyphaga mimivirus (APMV), the study and search for new giant viruses has been intensified. Most giant viruses are associated with free-living amoebae of the genus Acanthamoeba; however other giant viruses have been isolated in Vermamoeba vermiformis, such as Faustovirus, Kaumoebavirus and Orpheovirus. These studies have considerably expanded our knowledge about the diversity, structure, genomics, and evolution of giant viruses.

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Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a devastating disease that typically affects immunocompromised patients, chronically debilitated patients or drug users, but can also affect healthy patients. Necrotizing fasciitis can rapidly produce septic shock and requires immediate surgical management of the necrotic tissue. It is a bacterial infection that progresses rapidly and has a high mortality generally caused by aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.

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Facial fractures can be potentially fatal in polytraumatized patients due to retropositioning tissues to upper airway obstruction. In the first aids, this situation can be reversed using a tracheostomy procedure to break out the airways. However, fractures leading to airway obstruction are rare and according to Richards Classification can be classified into 5 types.

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The macroglossia is a rare condition, congenital or acquired, characterized by hypertrophy of the lingual muscles that can cause both aesthetic and functional changes such as mandibular prognathism and malocclusion. Diagnosis is through clinical examination. Treatment consists of excision of part of the tongue and different surgical techniques have been described in the literature.

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