A Potential SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Interest (VOI) Harboring Mutation E484K in the Spike Protein Was Identified within Lineage B 1 1 33 Circulating in Brazil

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) epidemic in Brazil was dominated by two lineages designated as B.1.1.28 and B.1.1.33. The two SARS-CoV-2 variants harboring mutations at the receptor-binding domain of the Spike (S) protein, designated as lineages P.1 and P.2, evolved from lineage B.1.1.28 and are rapidly spreading in Brazil. Lineage P.1 is considered a Variant of Concern (VOC) because of the presence of multiple mutations in the S protein (including K417T, E484K, N501Y), while lineage P.2 only harbors mutation S:E484K and is considered a Variant of Interest (VOI). On the other hand, epidemiologically relevant B.1.1.33 deriving lineages have not been described so far. Here we report the identification of a new SARS-CoV-2 VOI within lineage B.1.1.33 that also harbors mutation S:E484K and was detected in Brazil between November 2020 and February 2021. This VOI displayed four non-synonymous lineage-defining mutations (NSP3:A1711V, NSP6:F36L, S:E484K, and NS7b:E33A) and was designated as lineage N.9. The VOI N.9 probably emerged in August 2020 and has spread across different Brazilian states from the Southeast, South, North, and Northeast regions.

Métodos de alimentação e evolução do peso de recém-nascidos com microcefalia congênita por Zika Vírus / Feeding methods and weight evolution in newborns with congenital microcephaly due for Zika Virus

RESUMO Objetivo investigar a forma de oferta de dieta, conforme os diversos métodos de alimentação, e descrever o ganho de peso em recém-nascidos com microcefalia relacionada ao Zika Vírus, comparando-os com recém-nascidos sem microcefalia. Método estudo de coorte retrospectivo com caso controle aninhado. Informações sobre idade gestacional, peso e métodos de alimentação (seio materno, sonda nasogástrica/orogástrica, mamadeira e copo) foram coletadas em prontuários de 43 recém-nascidos com microcefalia por Zika Vírus, equiparados conforme idade gestacional com 43 recém-nascidos sem acometimentos (grupo controle), em uma maternidade de referência no Nordeste do Brasil. Os dados foram coletados desde o nascimento até a alta hospitalar. As medidas de desfecho foram pesos (ao nascer e na alta), velocidade de ganho de peso, tempo de internação e métodos de alimentação. Resultados O grupo com microcefalia apresentou menores pesos ao nascer (D=-1,67; p<0,001), inclusive com maior probabilidade de serem baixo peso (Phi=0,687; p<0,001), e no momento da alta (D=-0,87; p=0,006), do que o controle. O grupo com microcefalia também apresentou maior velocidade de ganho de peso (D=0,77; p=0,006), embora com métodos alimentares semelhantes ao grupo controle, incluindo a aceitação do seio materno, de forma exclusiva (34,9%) ou complementada (58,1%). Conclusão recém-nascidos com microcefalia relacionada ao Zika Vírus utilizaram métodos alimentares semelhantes, incluindo seio materno, aos do grupo sem acometimento. Quanto ao peso, apresentaram valores menores ao nascimento e na alta, apesar de terem um crescimento precoce pós-natal mais rápido que aqueles sem microcefalia.

ABSTRACT Purpose Investigate the form of diet offer, according to the different feeding methods, and describe the weight gain in newborns with microcephaly related to Zika Virus, comparing them with newborns without microcephaly. Methods Retrospective cohort with nested case-control study. Information on gestational age, weight and feeding methods (maternal breast, nasogastric/orogastric tube, bottle and cup) were collected from medical records of 43 newborns with microcephaly due to Zika Virus, matched according to gestational age with 43 newborns without involvement (control group), in a reference maternity hospital in northeastern Brazil. Data were collected from birth to hospital discharge. Outcome measures were weights (at birth and at discharge), weight gain speed, length of hospital stay and feeding methods. Results The microcephaly group had lower weights at birth (D=-1.67; p<0.001), even more likely to be underweight (Phi=0.687; p<0.001), and at discharge (D=-0.87; p=0.006), than the control group. The microcephaly group also showed a higher rate of weight gain (D=0.77; p=0.006), although with eating methods similar to the control group, including acceptance of the mother's breast, exclusively (34.9%) or complemented (58.1%). Conclusion Newborns with Zika Virus-related microcephaly used similar feeding methods, including maternal breast, to those in the non-affected group. As for weight, they showed lower values at birth and at discharge, despite having a faster postnatal early growth than those without microcephaly.

Family COVID-19 cluster analysis of an infant without respiratory symptoms

Abstract Diagnosing cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) with only non-respiratory symptoms has been challenging. We reported the diagnosis of a child who tested positive for COVID-19 with abdominal pain/diarrhea and tracked his family cluster. One member of the family tested positive for COVID-19 on real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction assay and three other family members had anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.