Publications by authors named "Patricia Carvalho Sequeira"

The recent reemergence of yellow fever virus (YFV) in Brazil has raised serious concerns due to the rapid dissemination of the virus in the southeastern region. To better understand YFV genetic diversity and dynamics during the recent outbreak in southeastern Brazil, we generated 18 complete and nearly complete genomes from the peak of the epidemic curve from nonhuman primates (NHPs) and human infected cases across the Espírito Santo and Rio de Janeiro states. Genomic sequencing of 18 YFV genomes revealed the estimated timing, source, and likely routes of yellow fever virus transmission and dispersion during one of the largest outbreaks ever registered in Brazil.

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The emergence of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has raised serious concerns due to the virus' rapid dissemination into new geographic areas and the clinical features associated with infection. To better understand CHIKV dynamics in Rio de Janeiro, we generated 11 near-complete genomes by means of real-time portable nanopore sequencing of virus isolates obtained directly from clinical samples. To better understand CHIKV dynamics in Rio de Janeiro, we generated 11 near-complete genomes by means of real-time portable nanopore sequencing of virus isolates obtained directly from clinical samples.

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Background: During 2015-16 Brazil experienced the largest epidemic of Zika virus ever reported. This arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) has been linked to Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in adults but other neurological associations are uncertain. Chikungunya virus has caused outbreaks in Brazil since 2014 but associated neurological disease has rarely been reported here.

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Article Synopsis
  • Zika virus (ZIKV) has been detected in various body fluids of infected individuals, where it may linger longer in urine and semen, raising concerns about its transmission and potential severe health effects like microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome.
  • This study will recruit non-pregnant adults aged 18+ with confirmed ZIKV infection to analyze the presence of the virus in different biological specimens over a 12-month period, using methods like RT-PCR and assessing for other co-infections.
  • The research aims to explore ZIKV’s persistence and reactivation in the body, providing crucial insights that could inform prevention strategies and enhance understanding of the virus’s behavior in the long term.*
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The burden of arboviruses in the Americas is high and may result in long-term sequelae with infants disabled by Zika virus infection (ZIKV) and arthritis caused by infection with Chikungunya virus (CHIKV). We aimed to identify environmental drivers of arbovirus epidemics to predict where the next epidemics will occur and prioritize municipalities for vector control and eventual vaccination. We screened sera and urine samples (n = 10,459) from residents of 48 municipalities in the state of Rio de Janeiro for CHIKV, dengue virus (DENV), and ZIKV by molecular PCR diagnostics.

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Zika virus (ZIKV) is a member of the flavivirus genus, and its genome is approximately 10.8 kilobases of positive-strand RNA enclosed in a capsid and surrounded by a membrane. Studies on the replication dynamics of ZIKV are scarce, which limits the development of antiviral agents and vaccines directed against ZIKV.

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Article Synopsis
  • Congenital Zika virus (ZIKV) syndrome affects infants whose mothers were infected during pregnancy; this study looked at factors like maternal virus load and prior dengue immunity to understand its impact.
  • Researchers used a clinical severity tool to analyze symptoms in 131 pregnant women with ZIKV, finding a range of disease severity from mild to severe, with nearly half experiencing adverse outcomes.
  • The study concluded that there were no significant links between the severity of maternal illness, ZIKV viral load, or previous dengue antibodies with poor pregnancy or infant outcomes.
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Purpose Of Review: Zika virus (ZIKV) is an arbovirus previously believed to cause only a mild and self-limiting illness. Recently, it has emerged as a new public health threat that caused a large outbreak in French Polynesia in 2013-2014 and since 2015 an explosive outbreak in Brazil, with an increase in severe congenital malformations (microcephaly) and neurological complications, mainly Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Since then, it has spread through the Americas.

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Article Synopsis
  • In 2015, Brazil experienced the simultaneous circulation of Zika, Dengue, and Chikungunya viruses, complicating accurate diagnosis due to overlapping symptoms and a lack of validated testing for Zika.
  • A study conducted by Fiocruz captured data from 364 suspected Zika cases between January and July 2015, with 119 confirmed cases through laboratory testing, revealing the presence of Zika virus in Rio de Janeiro.
  • The outbreak peaked in May/June 2015, with patients primarily reporting symptoms like headache and joint pain, while fever was generally mild and brief, highlighting the distinctive manifestations of suspected Zika infections.
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The yellow fever (YF) 17D vaccine is one of the most effective human vaccines ever created. The YF vaccine has been produced since 1937 in embryonated chicken eggs inoculated with the YF 17D virus. Yet, little information is available about the infection mechanism of YF 17DD virus in this biological model.

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