Report of an unusual association of Oropouche Fever with Guillain-Barré syndrome in Cuba, 2024.

Oropouche virus is the aetiological agent of Oropouche fever. At present, this is currently considered one of the most important vector-borne diseases in Latin America. On 27 May 2024, the Ministry of Public Health of Cuba reported the first ever outbreak of Oropouche fever.

Epidemiological Characterization of Patients in the First Eight Weeks Following Detection of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 (omicron) Variant in Cuba.

Introduction: In November 2021, omicron-a new SARS-CoV-2 variant-was identified in South Africa and almost immediately, WHO declared it a 'variant of concern'. In view of its rapid worldwide spread and its imminent introduction in Cuba, genomic surveillance was strengthened.

Objective: Describe cases during the first eight epidemiological weeks (epiweeks) of SARS-CoV-2 infection attributable to omicron variant in Cuba by clinical and epidemiological variables.

Performance evaluation of Elecsys SARS-CoV-2 Antigen immunoassay for diagnostic of COVID-19.

One of the challenges for control and prevention of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is the early diagnostic at the point of care. Several tests based on qualitative antigen detection have been developed; one of these is Elecsys SARS-CoV-2 Antigen immunoassay (Roche Diagnostics). In total, 523 nasopharyngeal swabs were randomly selected with the aims to evaluate sensitivity, specificity, cross-reactivity, positive and negative predictive value (PPV, NPV), and agreement of Elecsys SARS-CoV-2 Antigen immunoassay using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) STAT-NAT® coronavirus disease-2019 as reference test.

Interferon gamma, TGF-β1 and RANTES expression in upper airway samples from SARS-CoV-2 infected patients.

Upper respiratory tract is the primary site of SARS-CoV-2 replication. Releasing of pro and anti-inflammatory mediators plays an important role in the immunopathogenesis of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The aim of this study was to evaluate the early inflammatory response in upper airway by measuring of IFN-γ, TGF-β1 and RANTES at mRNA level.

US and Cuban Scientists Forge Collaboration on Arbovirus Research.

After December 17, 2014, when the US and Cuban governments announced their intent to restore relations, the two countries participated in various exchange activities in an effort to encourage cooperation in public health, health research and biomedical sciences. The conference entitled Exploring Opportunities for Arbovirus Research Collaboration, hosted at Havana's Hotel Nacional, was part of these efforts and was the first major US-Cuban scientific conference in over 50 years. Its purpose was to share information about current arbovirus research and recent findings, and to explore opportunities for future joint research.

[Biological properties of virus dengue-3 strains isolated during the epidemic ocurred in Havana, 2001-2002].

Introduction: During dengue epidemics in Cuba, an increase in clinical severity with the epidemics progression in time, particularly in secondary infections, have been frequently observed. It is considered that this increase could be related with genetic changes in the circulating virus.

Objective: To study some biological attributes related to strains isolated at different points of time during the dengue epidemic occurred in Havana city, 2001-2002.

[Molecular diagnosis of influenza A(H1N1) 2009 virus and other respiratory viruses during the first pandemic wave in Cuba].

Introduction: the first pandemic virus of the 21st century - the influenza A (H1N1)/2009 virus-appeared in Mexico in April 2009 after triple reassortment of influenza strains of avian, human and pig origin and from there, it was spread worldwide. With the purpose of facing up to this event, Cuba adopted antipandemic measures including the virology surveillance using all necessary actions.

Objectives: the detection and validation of the entry of the causative agent of pandemic into the country in a fast and timely way, in addition to the definition of involvement of other viruses in the etiology of acute respiratory infections.

[Sequence of viral infection associated to pregnancy in a dengue outbreak in Santiago de Cuba in 2006].

Introduction: several dengue outbreaks have taken place in Santiago de Cuba province in the last few years, in which pregnant women have been involved.

Objectives: to determine the immunity and to describe the role of dengue infection and its sequence.

Methods: an observational and descriptive study was conducted to characterize dengue immunity in mothers and children after 10 and 12 months of birth and to determine the influence of certain viral infection sequences in pregnant women who suffered this disease during the dengue 3 epidemics in Santiago de Cuba.

[Severe acute respiratory infection in Cuban patients during the influenza A(H1N1) pandemic in Cuba, 2009].

Introduction: On April 2009, the Mexican health authorities reported increased hospitalization indexes caused by pneumonia with high mortality rates to the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO). The National Epidemiological Surveillance System of Mexico noticed that this increase mainly occurred in the 20-40 year old population. A new type of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus was identified by laboratory studies as the etiological agent of the first pandemic of the 21st century.

[Cuban strategy for the molecular characterization of the pandemic influenza A virus (H1N1)].

Introduction: In April 2009, there was identified a variant of the A/H1N1 influenza virus of swine origin, and shortly after the first pandemic in XXI century was declared.

Objectives: To establish a nucleotide sequencing strategy for the differential diagnosis of the seasonal and pandemic influenza A viruses, and to obtain as much molecular information as possible about hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes in patients with influenza-like illnesses, in those with severe respiratory infection and in patients who died.

Methods: Three sequencing strategies were designed and implemented, which also offered important information about the new virus in Cuba.

[Contribution of the National Influenza Laboratory to confront the 2009 pandemic influenza in Cuba].

Introduction: Acute respiratory infections are considered the most important causes of morbidity and mortality around the world. These infections became more significant when associated to epidemics and pandemic events caused by influenza virus. The need for global surveillance of influenza viruses was recognized as early as 1947 and led to the establishment of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Influenza Surveillance Network (GISN).

[Standarization of the plaque-reduction neutralization technique in Vero cells for dengue virus testing].

Introduction: the standard plaque reduction neutralization technique has been performed in BHK-21 cells for more than 20 years in Cuba to determine the neutralizing antibodies to dengue. At the end of 2007, the WHO implemented a program to harmonize this technique at all the laboratories worldwide.

Objectives: the present study was aimed at standardizing the plaque-reduction neutralization technique in Vero cells from the Cultural Lab of"Pedro Kouri" Tropical Medicine Institute.