Uma abordagem atual da utilização de antidepressivos no manejo da depressão pós-parto / A current approach to the use of antidepressants in the management of postpartum depression / Enfoque actual de la utilización de antidepresivos en el manejo de la depresión postparto

OBJETIVO: caracterizar a utilização de antidepressivos no manejo da depressão pós-parto. MÉTODO: empregou-se uma revisão integrativa de literatura, das bases de dados PubMed e Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, com aplicação de descritores, visando responder a pergunta norteadora do trabalho, entre os dias 25 de fevereiro e 10 de março de 2019. Com base nos critérios de inclusão e exclusão, foram selecionados 23 artigos que, posteriormente, foram submetidos à categorização. RESULTADOS: a sertralina deve ser a droga de escolha para o tratamento farmacológico da depressão puerperal. Constatou-se também, que a utilização profilática de antidepressivos em mulheres susceptíveis é contestável e pouco se sabe sobre os possíveis efeitos colaterais. Ademais, foi encontrado que não há consenso sobre a superioridade da terapia farmacológica em detrimento às psicoterapias. CONCLUSÃO: há evidencias que fundamentam o uso de sertralina, paroxetina, duloxetina, nortriptilina e imipramina para tratar mulheres com depressão pós-parto, sendo a amamentação sempre recomendada. Ressalta-se que emerge a necessidade de estudos com amostras representativas para validar ou restringir o uso de psicofármacos na profilaxia da depressão puerperal.

OBJECTIVE: this study aimed to characterize the use of antidepressants in the management of postpartum depression. METHOD: an integrative literature review of the PubMed and Virtual Health Library databases was used, with the application of descriptors, aiming to answer the guiding question of the work, between February 25th and March 10th, 2019. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 23 articles were selected that were later submitted to categorization. RESULTS: sertraline should be the drug of choice for the pharmacological treatment of puerperal depression. It was also found that the prophylactic use of antidepressants in susceptible women is controversial and little is known about the possible side effects. In addition, it was found that there is no consensus on the superiority of pharmacological therapy to the detriment of psychotherapies. CONCLUSION: there is evidence supporting the use of sertraline, paroxetine, duloxetine, nortriptyline and imipramine to treat women with postpartum depression, and breastfeeding is always recommended. It is worth noting that the need for studies with representative samples to validate or restrict the use of psychotropic drugs in the prophylaxis of puerperal depression emerges.

OBJETIVO: el presente estudio tuvo como objetivo caracterizar la utilización de antidepresivos en el manejo de la depresión posparto. MÉTODO: revisión integradora de literatura, de las bases de datos PubMed y Biblioteca Virtual de Salud, con aplicación de descriptores, para responder a la pregunta orientadora del trabajo, entre el 25 de febrero y el 10 de marzo de 2019. Con base en los criterios de inclusión y exclusión, se seleccionaron 23 artículos que posteriormente se sometieron a categorización. RESULTADOS: la sertralina debe ser la droga elegida para el tratamiento farmacológico de la depresión puerperal. Además, se constató que la utilización profiláctica de antidepresivos en mujeres susceptibles es discutible y poco se sabe sobre los posibles efectos colaterales. Asimismo, se encontró que no hay consenso sobre la superioridad de la terapia farmacológica en detrimento de las psicoterapias. CONCLUSIÓN: hay evidencias que fundamentan el uso de sertralina, paroxetina, duloxetina, nortriptilina e imipramina para tratar a mujeres con depresión posparto, siendo la lactancia siempre recomendada. Se destaca que surge la necesidad de realizar estudios con muestras representativas para validar o restringir el uso de psicofármacos en la profilaxis de la depresión puerperal.

Experimental yellow fever virus infection in the squirrel monkey (Saimiri spp. ) I: gross anatomical and histopathological findings in organs at necropsy

BACKGROUND Non-human primates contribute to the spread of the yellow fever virus (YFV) and the establishment of transmission cycles in endemic areas. OBJECTIVE To describe the severe histopathological aspects of YFV infection, 10 squirrel monkeys were infected with YFV and blood, brain, liver, kidney, spleen, heart, lung, lymph node and stomach were collected at 1-7, 10, 20 and 30 days post-infection (dpi). METHODS Histopathological analysis and detection of the genome and viral antigens and neutralising antibodies were performed by RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and neutralisation test, respectively. FINDINGS Only one animal died from the experimental infection. The genome and viral antigens were detected in all investigated organs (1-30 dpi) and the neutralising antibodies from seven to 30 dpi. The brain contained perivascular haemorrhage (6 dpi); in the liver, midzonal haemorrhage and lytic necrosis (6 dpi) were observed. The kidney had bleeding in the Bowman's capsule and tubular necrosis (6 dpi). Pyknotic lymphocytes were observed in the spleen (1-20 dpi), the lung had haemorrhage (2-6 dpi), in the endocardium it contained nuclear pyknosis and necrosis (2-3 dpi) and the stomach contained blood in the lumen (6 dpi). MAIN FINDINGS Squirrel monkeys reliably reproduced the responses observed in human cases of yellow fever and, therefore, constitute an excellent experimental model for studies on the pathophysiology of the disease.

The Visual Practice: the Infographic as a Facilitating Tool for Learning in Medical School / O Prático Visual: o Infográfico como Ferramenta Facilitadora do Aprendizado no Curso de Medicina

Abstract: Introduction: In the context of medical school, the development of methodologies that stimulate the students' search for learning, autonomy and creativity are essential for medical education in Brazil. The study aims to describe the construction of infographics as a pedagogical proposal for the learning of organic human aging processes by medical students. Method: Medical students attending the 4th period at a Higher Education Institution built infographics, as a requirement for the practical content of the Aging Process module. The static-type infographic was adopted, following criteria such as the definition of the target audience; definition of the objective; choice of topic; selection of the most relevant information (focus); direct and accessible language; organized information; choices of color palettes and style and; infographic sketch. The entire creation process was supervised by the teacher in charge of the project, and evaluation criteria were previously established. Results: The class was divided into seven groups, resulting in the production of an infographic with a specific topic per group. The human aging topics were: Degenerative Joint Diseases, Bone Weakness, Pneumonia in the Elderly, Acute Myocardial Infarction, Vascular Dementia, Atherosclerosis and Herpes Zoster. It is worth noting that in addition to the creation, each group presented the final product to the other colleagues, explaining each item included in the static infographic. Conclusions: We observed that the students satisfactorily met the proposed evaluation requirements, demonstrating their involvement in the construction of infographics and, above all, in simple, creative and objective learning, using a powerful visual tool. We also add that the printed material will be used as aid in the histology laboratory and in extramural activities.

Resumo: Introdução: No contexto das graduações médicas, o desenvolvimento de metodologias que estimulam a busca do aprendizado, a autonomia e a criatividade dos discentes é essencial para a formação médica no Brasil. O estudo visa descrever a construção de infográficos como proposta pedagógica para o aprendizado dos processos orgânicos do envelhecimento humano por estudantes de Medicina. Método: Os discentes do quarto período do curso de Medicina de uma instituição de ensino superior construíram infográficos como requisito de conteúdo prático do módulo "Processos de Envelhecimento". Adotou-se o infográfico do tipo estático, seguindo critérios como: definição do público-alvo; definição do objetivo; escolha do tema; seleção das informações mais relevantes (foco); linguagem direta e acessível; informações organizadas; escolhas das paletas de cores e estilo; e esboço do infográfico. Todo processo de elaboração foi supervisionado pelo docente responsável, sendo previamente estabelecidos os critérios de avaliação. Resultados: A turma foi dividida em sete grupos, resultando na produção de um infográfico com uma temática específica por grupo. Os temas do envelhecimento humano foram: doenças articulares degenerativas, enfraquecimento ósseo, pneumonia no idoso, infarto agudo do miocárdio, demência vascular, aterosclerose e herpes-zóster. É válido salientar que, além da criação, cada grupo apresentou aos demais colegas o produto final, explicitando cada item inserido no infográfico estático. Conclusões: Foi possível observar que os alunos cumpriram de forma satisfatória os requisitos avaliativos propostos, demonstrando envolvimento na construção dos infográficos e, sobretudo, no aprendizado simples, criativo e objetivo, utilizando uma poderosa ferramenta visual. Acrescenta-se também que o material impresso servirá de apoio no laboratório de histologia e em atividades extramuros.

Upregulation of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in renal tissue in severe dengue in humans: Effects on endothelial activation/dysfunction

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Dengue is an important mosquito-borne disease in tropical and subtropical regions. Adhesion molecules have not been systematically characterized in the renal tissue of patients with severe dengue (SD). The objective of this study was to detect viral antigens in samples from patients that evolved with SD, correlating with the expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, VE-cadherin, and E-selectin to contribute to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of SD. METHODS: Kidney specimens from patients with SD were selected according to clinical and laboratorial data and submitted to histological and immunohistochemistry analysis. A semiquantitative evaluation was performed considering positive immunostaining in 20 glomeruli. RESULTS: Viral antigens were mainly detected in distal tubules. The intense immunostaining of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 was observed. The expression of E-selectin was discrete, and VE-cadherin expression varied from mild to moderate. VCAM-1 was slightly intense in the glomerular capsule; the expression of ICAM-1 was diffuse. E-selectin was diffuse, and VE-cadherin varied from mild to moderate. The most frequent histological findings were glomerular congestion, mild glomerulitis, acute renal injury, and glomerular atrophy. CONCLUSIONS: The results appear to demonstrate an imbalance between vascular endothelial permeability regulating events in renal lesions in SD. The increase in the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 is an in-situ indicator of higher permeability with a consequent influx of cells favoring the inflammation of the endothelium. These molecules are important in the pathophysiology of the disease and provide the possibility of developing new markers for the evaluation, clinical follow-up, and therapeutic response of patients with SD.

First isolation of West Nile virus in Brazil

BACKGROUND Serological evidence of West Nile virus (WNV) infection has been reported in different regions of Brazil from equine and human hosts but the virus had never been isolated in the country. OBJECTIVES We sought to identify the viral etiology of equine encephalitis in Espírito Santo state. METHODS We performed viral culture in C6/36 cells, molecular detection of WNV genome, histopathology and immunohistochemistry from horse cerebral tissue. We also carried out sequencing, phylogenetic analysis and molecular clock. FINDINGS Histopathologic analysis from horse cerebral tissue showed injury related to encephalitis and WNV infection was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. The virus was detected by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) from brain tissue and subsequently isolated in C6/36 cells. WNV full-length genome was sequenced showing the isolated strain belongs to lineage 1a. The molecular clock indicated that Brazilian WNV strain share the same common ancestor that were circulating in US during 2002-2005. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Here we report the first isolation of WNV in Brazil from a horse with neurologic disease, which was clustered into lineage 1a with others US WNV strains isolated in beginning of 2000's decade.

Encephalitis associated with Zika virus infection and reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus in a Brazilian child

Abstract We report a case of encephalitis associated with Zika virus infection and reactivation of varicella-zoster virus in the central nervous system of a Brazilian child. This case raises the possibility that reactivation of the latent varicella-zoster virus may be a mechanism of neurological impairment induced by acquired Zika virus infection.

Single shot of 17D vaccine may not confer life-long protection against yellow fever

The yellow fever (YF) vaccine has been used since the 1930s to prevent YF, which is a severe infectious disease caused by the yellow fever virus (YFV), and mainly transmitted by Culicidae mosquitoes from the genera Aedes and Haemagogus . Until 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the administration of a vaccine dose every ten years. A new recommendation of a single vaccine dose to confer life-long protection against YFV infection has since been established. Recent evidence published elsewhere suggests that at least a second dose is needed to fully protect against YF disease. Here, we discuss the feasibility of administering multiple doses, the necessity for a new and modern vaccine, and recommend that the WHO conveys a meeting to discuss YFV vaccination strategies for people living in or travelling to endemic areas.

Potential role of dengue virus, chikungunya virus and Zika virus in neurological diseases

This study showed that laboratory markers of recent infection by dengue, Zika or chikungunya arboviruses were detected in the biological samples of approximately one-third of patients with encephalitis, myelitis, encephalomyelitis or Guillain-Barré syndrome, in a surveillance programme in Piauí state, Brazil, between 2015-2016. Fever and myalgia had been associated with these cases. Since in non-tropical countries most infections or parainfectious diseases associated with the nervous system are attributed to herpesviruses, enteroviruses, and Campylobacter jejuni, the present findings indicate that in tropical countries, arboviruses may now play a more important role and reinforce the need for their surveillance and systematic investigation in the tropics.

Clinical and serological tests for arboviruses in free-living domestic pigeons (Columba livia)

BACKGROUND In this study, we evaluated the role of free-living domestic pigeons (Columba livia) as a reservoir of arboviruses in the city of Belém, state of Pará, Brazil. We investigated the presence of antibodies against the most prevalent arboviruses. OBJECTIVES This study was aimed at evaluating some clinical and physical parameters of domestic pigeons, including the presence of antibodies to Amazon-endemic arboviruses. METHODS Eighty-five healthy pigeons were captured in Mangal das Garças Park, in Belém, and were bled. Upon capture, the birds were subjected to a clinical examination in search of alterations that could indicate the presence of arboviruses. Blood samples were converted to serum and tested using the haemagglutination inhibition (HI) technique with a panel of 19 antigens of arboviruses circulating in the Amazon. The confirmation assay for the positive reactions to the viral species tested by HI was a neutralisation test in new-born Swiss albino mice (Mus musculus) [mouse neutralisation test (MNT)]. FINDINGS A total of 10 (11.8%) serum samples tested positive for antiflavivirus antibodies by HI. All the samples positive for the HI test were subjected to MNT for detection of viruses and yielded negative results (logarithmic neutralisation index < 1.7). MAIN CONCLUSION The results represent the first serological detection of antiarbovirus antibodies in domestic pigeons as potential hosts of arboviruses in Brazil. The detection of haemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies against genus Flavivirus indicated that there was recent contact between the analysed domestic pigeons and these arboviruses. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of free-living pigeons in the maintenance cycle and spread of arboviruses in the Amazon.

Multiplexed reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction for simultaneous detection of Mayaro, Oropouche, and Oropouche-like viruses

ABSTRACT We describe a sensitive method for simultaneous detection of Oropouche and Oropouche-like viruses carrying the Oropouche S segment, as well as the Mayaro virus, using a multiplexed one-step reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). A chimeric plasmid containing both Mayaro and Oropouche targets was designed and evaluated for the in vitro production of transcribed RNA, which could be easily used as a non-infectious external control. To track false-negative results due to PCR inhibition or equipment malfunction, the MS2 bacteriophage was also included in the multiplex assay as an internal positive control. The specificity of the multiplex assay was evaluated by Primer-Blast analysis against the entire GenBank database, and further against a panel of 17 RNA arboviruses. The results indicated an accurate and highly sensitive assay with amplification efficiency greater than 98% for both targets, and a limit of detection between two and 20 copies per reaction. We believe that the assay described here will provide a tool for Mayaro and Oropouche virus detection, especially in areas where differential diagnosis of Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya viruses should be performed.

Multifocal primary cutaneous extranodal NK/T lymphoma nasal type

Abstract Nasal type extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma is a distinct entity according to the World Health Organization classification. Although 60% to 90% of patients with this disease present with a destructive mass in the midline facial tissues, it may also primarily or secondarily involve extranasal sites, like the skin. We report the case of a 77-year-old patient that came to our department with erythematous plaques of the right leg and eczematous lesions of the trunk. These lesions were biopsied and the patient was diagnosed with extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type. He was treated with multi-agent systemic chemotherapy but died 5 months after diagnosis. This case highlights the rarity and variability of cutaneous features of this disease and its aggressive course and poor prognosis.

Frequency of histopathological changes in Howler monkeys ( Alouatta sp. ) naturally infected with yellow fever virus in Brazil

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Due to the importance that Howler monkeys have on the yellow fever (YF) epidemiological sylvatic cycle in Brazil, more accurate morphological diagnostic criteria needs to be established, especially considering the differences that may exist between the genera of Brazilian non-human primates (NHPs) involved in yellow fever virus (YFV) epizootics. METHODS: Records of YF epizootics in NHPs in Brazil between 2007 and 2009 were obtained from the Brazilian Ministry of Health database to select YF positive (n=98) Howler monkeys (Alouatta sp.) for this study. The changes described in the histopathological reports were categorized by organ and their frequencies calculated. RESULTS: The most frequent lesions observed in the animals with YF were hepatocyte apoptosis (Councilman body formation), midzonal hepatocyte necrosis, steatosis, liver hemorrhage, inflammatory mononuclear cell infiltration of the liver, renal acute tubular necrosis and interstitial nephritis. Midzonal hepatocyte necrosis, steatosis and hemorrhage presented positive correlations with apoptosis of hepatocytes, suggesting strong YFV pathogenic effect association; they were also the main histopathological changes in the Alouatta sp. A pronounced negative correlation between apoptosis of hepatocytes and hepatic mononuclear cell infiltration pointed to significant histopathological differences between YFV infection in Howler monkeys and humans. CONCLUSIONS: The results warn that NHPs may exhibit different response patterns following YFV infection and require a more careful diagnosis. Presumptive diagnosis based on primate histopathological lesions may contribute to public health service control.

When one port does not return blood: two case reports of rare causes for misplaced central venous catheters / Quando uma porta não apresenta retorno sanguíneo: relato de dois casos de causas raras de mau posicionamento de cateter venoso central

We present two cases of misplaced central venous catheters having in common theabsence of free blood return from one lumen immediately after placement. The former is acase of right hydrothorax associated with central venous catheterization with the catheter tipin intra-pleural location. In this case the distal port was never patent. In the latter case therewas an increased aspiration pressure through the middle port due to a catheter looping.The absence of free flow on aspiration from one lumen of a central catheter should not beundervalued. In these circumstances the catheter should not be used and needs to be removed.

Apresentamos dois casos de mau posicionamento de cateter venoso central. Têmem comum a ausência do retorno sanguíneo livre em um dos lúmens imediatamente após acolocac¸ão. O primeiro é um caso de hidrotórax direito associado ao cateterismo venoso central,com a ponta do cateter em localizac¸ão intrapleural. Nesse caso, a porta distal nunca estevepatente. No segundo caso houve um aumento da pressão de aspirac¸ão através da porta medialpor causa da formac¸ão de alc¸a no cateter.A ausência de fluxo livre na aspirac¸ão de um lúmen do cateter central não deve ser subesti-mada. Nessas circunstâncias, o cateter não deve ser usado e deve ser removido.

Prevalence of antibodies to equine alphaviruses in the State of Pará, Brazil / Prevalência de anticorpos para alphavirus em equinos do estado do Pará, Brasil

The State of Pará comprises 26% of Brazilian Amazon region, where a large diversity of arboviruses has been described. This study sought to assess the prevalence and distribution of hemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibodies against antigens of four alphaviruses (Togaviridae: Alphavirus ) from the species: Eastern equine encephalitis (EEEV), Western equine encephalitis (WEEV), Mayaro virus (MAYV), and Mucambo virus (MUCV) in 753 serum samples of horses in Pará State, Brazil. All investigated arboviruses were detected and indicate that horses are susceptible to these alphaviruses, and show evidences of their active circulation in farm animals in the Brazilian Amazon.(AU)

O estado do Pará corresponde a 26% da Amazônia brasileira, onde uma grande diversidade de arbovírus foi descrita. Este estudo procurou avaliar a prevalência e a distribuição de anticorpos inibidores da hemaglutinação (IH) contra antígenos de quatro alfavirus (Togaviridae: Alphavirus ), das espécies: Vírus da encefalite equina do leste (EEEV), Vírus da encefalite equina do oeste (WEEV), Vírus mayaro (MAYV) e Vírus mucambo (MUCV), de 753 amostras de soro de equinos no estado do Pará, Brasil. Todos os arbovirus pesquisados foram detectados, indicando que os equinos são suscetíveis a esses Alphavirus e mostrando evidências de sua circulação ativa em animais de fazenda na Amazônia brasileira.(AU)

VIROLOGICAL AND SEROLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS OF RABIES IN BATS FROM AN URBAN AREA IN THE BRAZILIAN AMAZON / Diagnóstico virológico e sorológico de raiva em morcegos de uma área urbana na Amazônia Brasileira

The outbreaks of rabies in humans transmitted by Desmodus rotundus in 2004 and 2005, in the northeast of the Brazilian State of Para, eastern Amazon basin, made this a priority area for studies on this zoonosis. Given this, the present study provides data on this phenomenon in an urban context, in order to assess the possible circulation of the classic rabies virus (RABV) among bat species in Capanema, a town in the Amazon basin. Bats were collected, in 2011, with mist nets during the wet and dry seasons. Samples of brain tissue and blood were collected for virological and serological survey, respectively. None of the 153 brain tissue samples analyzed tested positive for RABV infection, but 50.34% (95% CI: 45.67-55.01%) of the serum samples analyzed were seropositive. Artibeus planirostris was the most common species, with a high percentage of seropositive individuals (52.46%, 95% CI: 52.31 52.60%). Statistically, equal proportions of seropositive results were obtained in the rainy and dry seasons (c2 = 0.057, d.f. = 1, p = 0.88). Significantly higher proportions of males (55.96%, 95% CI: 48.96-62.96%) and adults (52.37%, 95% CI: 47.35-57.39%) were seropositive. While none of the brain tissue samples tested positive for infection, the high proportion of seropositive specimens indicates that RABV may be widespread in this urban area.

Os surtos de raiva em humanos transmitida por Desmodus rotundus em 2004 e 2005 no nordeste do estado do Pará, Brasil, Amazônia Oriental, fizeram desta uma área prioritária para estudos sobre essa zoonose. Diante disso, o presente estudo fornece dados sobre esse fenômeno em contexto urbano, afim de avaliar uma possível circulação do vírus clássico da raiva (RABV) entre espécies de morcegos em Capanema, cidade localizada na bacia Amazônica. Os morcegos foram coletados em 2011, com auxílio de redes de espera durante as estações seca e chuvosa. Amostras de encéfalo e de sangue foram coletadas para o diagnóstico virológico e sorológico, respectivamente. Das 153 amostras de encéfalo analisadas, nenhuma encontrou-se positiva para infecção pelo RABV, porém, 50,34% (95% CI: 45,67-55,01) das amostras de soro analisadas estavam soropositivas. Artibeus planirostris foi a espécie mais comum, e seu percentual de indivíduos soropositivos foi bem elevado (52.46%, 95% CI: 52,31-52,60). Porções estatisticamente iguais de soropositivos foram registrados nas estações (c2 = 0,057, d.f. = 1, p = 0,88). Uma porção significativamente elevada de machos (55,96%, 95% CI: 48,96%-62,96%), e adultos (52,37%, 95% CI: 47,35%-57,39%) foram soropositivos. Apesar de nenhuma das amostras de encéfalo terem sido positivas para raiva, a alta proporção de espécimes soropositivos indica uma possível circulação do RABV nessa área urbana.

Chikungunya risk for Brazil / Risco do chikungunya para o Brasil

This study aimed to show, based on the literature on the subject, the potential for dispersal and establishment of the chikungunya virus in Brazil. The chikungunya virus, a Togaviridae member of the genusAlphavirus, reached the Americas in 2013 and, the following year, more than a million cases were reported. In Brazil, indigenous transmission was registered in Amapa and Bahia States, even during the period of low rainfall, exposing the whole country to the risk of virus spreading. Brazil is historically infested by Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus, also dengue vectors. Chikungunya may spread, and it is important to take measures to prevent the virus from becoming endemic in the country. Adequate care for patients with chikungunya fever requires training general practitioners, rheumatologists, nurses, and experts in laboratory diagnosis. Up to November 2014, more than 1,000 cases of the virus were reported in Brazil. There is a need for experimental studies in animal models to understand the dynamics of infection and the pathogenesis as well as to identify pathophysiological mechanisms that may contribute to identifying effective drugs against the virus. Clinical trials are needed to identify the causal relationship between the virus and serious injuries observed in different organs and joints. In the absence of vaccines or effective drugs against the virus, currently the only way to prevent the disease is vector control, which will also reduce the number of cases of dengue fever.

o objetivo deste estudo foi mostrar, com base na literatura sobre o tema, o potencial de dispersão e estabelecimento do vírus chikungunya no brasil. O vírus chikungunya, um Togaviridae do gênero Alphavirus, atingiu as Américas em 2013 e, no ano seguinte, mais de um milhão de casos foram notificados. No Brasil, foi registrada transmissão autóctone no Amapá e Bahia, mesmo durante o período de baixo índice pluviométrico, expondo ao risco de propagação do vírus todo o território nacional. Historicamente, o Brasil é infestado por Ae. Aegypti e Ae. Albopictus, também vetores do dengue. É possível que o chikungunya se dissemine, sendo importante que medidas sejam tomadas para evitar que o vírus se torne endêmico no País. A adequada assistência a pacientes com febre de chikungunya requer treinamento de clínicos, reumatologistas, enfermeiros e especialistas em diagnóstico laboratorial. Até novembro de 2014 foram notificados no Brasil mais de 1.000 casos da virose. Estudos experimentais em modelos animais devem ser realizados para conhecer a dinâmica da infecção e a patogenia, bem como identificar mecanismos fisiopatológicos que possam contribuir para identificar drogas com efeito sobre o vírus. São necessários ensaios clínicos para identificar a relação causal do vírus com sérias lesões observadas em diferentes órgãos e nas articulações. Na ausência de vacinas ou drogas efetivas contra o vírus, a única forma de prevenir a doença é atualmente o controle vetorial, o que também reduzirá o número de casos de dengue.