Congenital CMV infection in a Brazilian neonatal intensive care unit: high prevalence among twin newborns.

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the most important pathogens associated with congenital infection worldwide. Most congenital CMV-infected infants are asymptomatic at birth; however, some can develop delayed sequelae, especially hearing loss.

Methods: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of congenital CMV infection in a neonatal intensive care unit in a low-income region of Brazil.

Relationship between clinical-epidemiological parameters and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit: a report from a Brazilian hospital.

Background: People in low-income countries, especially those with low socio-economic conditions, are likelier to test positive for SARS-CoV-2. The unequal conditions of public health systems also increase the infection rate and make early identification and treatment of at-risk patients difficult. Here, we aimed to characterize the epidemiological profile of COVID-19 patients in intensive care and identify laboratory and clinical markers associated with death.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Cities from the Southern Region of Bahia State, Brazil: Analysis of Variables Associated in Both Individual and Community Level.

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), challenged public health systems worldwide. Individuals in low-income countries/regions are still at individual and community risk concerning inequality, sanitation, and economic conditions. Besides, during the pandemic, the transmission in municipalities and communities in the countryside and less developed regions kept viral spread and required structured and strengthened clinical and laboratory surveillance.

Ex-vivo mucolytic and anti-inflammatory activity of BromAc in tracheal aspirates from COVID-19.

Unlabelled: COVID-19 is a lethal disease caused by the pandemic SARS-CoV-2, which continues to be a public health threat. COVID-19 is principally a respiratory disease and is often associated with sputum retention and cytokine storm, for which there are limited therapeutic options. In this regard, we evaluated the use of BromAc®, a combination of Bromelain and Acetylcysteine (NAC).

Infectious diseases during pregnancy in Brazil: seroprevalence and risk factors.

Introduction: Vertically transmitted infections are caused by a diversity of pathogenic microorganisms. Pregnant women are routinely screened to evaluate the risks and reduce the burden of disorders in their unborn children. We assessed the prevalence and possible risk factors for Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Rubella, Human T lymphotropic virus (HTLV), and Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women from the South region of Bahia State, Brazil.

Prevalence and clinical aspects of CMV congenital Infection in a low-income population.

Background: CMV is the most common cause of congenital infection in the whole world (0.2 to 2.2 %).

Are lipid disorders involved in the predominance of human T-lymphotropic virus-1 infections in women?

Introduction: The human T-lymphotropic virus-1 (HTLV-1) is associated with chronic inflammatory diseases such as HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), a chronic inflammatory disease. Disturbances in lipid metabolism are involved in inflammatory and demyelinating diseases.

Methods: Plasma levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, and fractions of HTLV-1-infected individuals of both sexes with different clinical progressions were determined.

The use of saliva as a practical and feasible alternative to urine in large-scale screening for congenital cytomegalovirus infection increases inclusion and detection rates.

Introduction: Although urine is considered the gold-standard material for the detection of congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, it can be difficult to obtain in newborns. The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of detection of congenital CMV infection in saliva and urine samples.

Methods: One thousand newborns were included in the study.

HTLV-1 in pregnant women from the Southern Bahia, Brazil: a neglected condition despite the high prevalence.

Background: As the most frequent pathway of vertical transmission of HTLV-1 is breast-feeding, and considering the higher prevalence in women, it is very important to perform screening examinations for anti-HTLV-1 antibodies as part of routine prenatal care. So far, no studies of HTLV-1 seroprevalence in pregnant women in the Southern region of Bahia, Brazil, have been described.

Methods: Pregnant women were selected at the two regional reference centers for health care from Southern Bahia.

Human cytomegalovirus glycoprotein B genotypes in Brazilian mothers and their congenitally infected infants.

A case-control study design was used in order to compare the distribution of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) glycoprotein B (gB) genotypes in 48 mothers of 49 congenitally infected infants with that observed in 144 mothers of 146 uninfected infants to study genetic variation of HCMV strains and maternal-fetal transmission. Congenital infection with HCMV was characterized by DNA detection and virus isolation from two urine or saliva samples collected prior to the third week of life. Genotyping of HCMV was carried out by a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the variable region of the gB gene, testing for four genotypes.

Is saliva as reliable as urine for detection of cytomegalovirus DNA for neonatal screening of congenital CMV infection?

Background: There are no studies on the detection of cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA by molecular methods in the saliva of newborn infants in large scale screening programs.

Objectives: To evaluate the usefulness of saliva as a sample for the neonatal screening of congenital CMV infection as compared to urine when processed by a PCR.

Study Design: Saliva and urine samples were obtained during the first week of life.

The use of qualitative and quantitative polymerase chain reactions for diagnosis of cytomegalovirus infections in bone marrow and kidney transplant recipients.

The purpose of this work was to test a cytomegalovirus qualitative PCR and a semi-quantitative PCR on the determination of CMV load in leukocytes of bone marrow and kidney transplanted (RT) patients. Thirty three BMT and 35 RT patients participated of the study. The DNA was subjected to a qualitative PCR using primers that amplify part of CMV gB gene.

Diagnosis of cytomegalovirus infections by qualitative and quantitative PCR in HIV infected patients.

A high incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections is observed in Brazil. These viruses are causatives of significant morbidity and mortality among patients with advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. This work, shows the application of a PCR on determination of CMV load in the buffy coat and plasma.