Asthma exacerbations in a subtropical area and the role of respiratory viruses: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Multiple factors are involved in asthma exacerbations, including environmental exposure and viral infections. We aimed to assess the association between severe asthma exacerbations, acute respiratory viral infections and other potential risk factors.

Methods: Asthmatic children aged 4-14 years were enrolled for a period of 12 months and divided into two groups: those with exacerbated asthma (group 1) and non-exacerbated asthma (group 2).

Gastroenteric virus detection in fecal samples from women in Goiânia, State of Goiás, Brazil.

Introduction: This was a prospective study that included women seen in the obstetrics and gynecology sector of Hospital das Clínicas, Federal University of Goiás, in Goiânia, State of Goiás, with the aim of detecting rotaviruses, adenoviruses, caliciviruses and astroviruses. Eighty-four women participated in the study and from these, 314 fecal samples were collected. Out of all of the women, 29 were seropositive for HIV and 55 were seronegative, and 45 and 39 were pregnant and non-pregnant, respectively.

Epidemiological features of rotavirus infection in Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil, from 1986 to 2000.

A total of 2,605 faecal specimens from children up to 10 years old with or without diarrhoea were collected. Samples were obtained from 1986 to 2000 in hospitals, outpatient clinics and day-care centers in Goiânia, Goiás. Two methodologies for viral detection were utilized: a combined enzyme immunoassay for rotavirus and adenovirus and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Detection and genotyping of astroviruses from children with acute gastroenteritis from Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.

Background: The astroviruses constitute important agents of childhood diarrhea. The purpose of our research was to detect and genotype astroviruses in fecal samples from children with acute gastroenteritis from Goiânia- Goiás, Brazil.

Material/methods: The samples were collected from children up to five years of age with acute gastroenteritis, hospitalized in two public hospitals in Goiânia- Goiás, a city located in the West Central region of Brazil.