Outbreak caused by the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in the psychiatric ward of a general hospital in Brazil.

Background: An outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant was detected in the psychiatric ward of a general hospital in Brasília, Brazil.

Methods: We report the investigation, clinical outcomes, viral sequencing, and control measures applied to outbreak containment.

Results: The overall attack rate was 95% (23/24) in a period of 13 days.

Sensitivity of different DNA extraction methods and PCR to detect resistance in patients with leprosy stratified by the bacilloscopic index.

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance in leprosy is an emerging problem, and the quantitative impact of low bacilloscopic indexes (BIs) on the sensitivity of molecular tests is unknown. We aimed to evaluate the sensitivity of gene sequencing for the detection of mutations related to antimicrobial resistance in Mycobacterium leprae in patients with low BIs using an analytical model.

Methods: Patients with leprosy were included and divided into two groups depending on their BIs (≥ 2+ and < 2+).

Dengue seroprevalence among asymptomatic blood donors during an epidemic outbreak in Central-West Brazil.

Dengue virus (DENV) transmission by blood transfusion is an important route of viral acquisition during outbreaks. The prevalence of DENV markers (viral RNA, NS1, anti-DENV IgM, and IgG) among blood donors in Central-West Brazil has never been evaluated. Our aim was to evaluate the full set of serological and molecular markers for DENV among blood donors of the Federal District of Brazil during an extensive outbreak in 2016.