A Saint Louis encephalitis and Rocio virus serosurvey in Brazilian horses

Introduction Arboviruses are an important public health problem in Brazil, in especially flaviviruses, including the Saint Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) and the Rocio virus (ROCV), are especially problematic. These viruses are transmitted to humans or other vertebrates through arthropod bites and may cause diseases with clinical manifestations that range from asymptomatic infection, viral hemorrhagic fever to encephalitis. Methods A serological survey of horses from various regions of Brazil using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with recombinant SLEV domain III peptides and ROCV E protein as antigens. Results Overall, 415 (55.1%) of the 753 horses that were screened were seropositive for flavivirus and, among them, monotypic reactions were observed to SLEV in 93 (12.3%) and to ROCV in 46 (6.1%). These results suggested that these viruses, or other closely related viruses, are infecting horses in Brazil. However, none of the studied horses presented central nervous system infection symptoms. Conclusions Our results suggest that SLEV and ROCV previously circulated among horses in northeast, west-central and southeast Brazil. .

Production and diagnostic application of recombinant domain III of West Nile envelope protein in Brazil

INTRODUCTION: West Nile virus (WNV) is a flavivirus with a natural cycle involving mosquitoes and birds. Over the last 11 years, WNV has spread throughout the Americas with the imminent risk of its introduction in Brazil. METHODS: Envelope protein domain III of WNV (rDIII) was bacterially expressed and purified. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with WNV rDIII antigen was standardized against mouse immune fluids (MIAFs) of different flavivirus. RESULTS: WNV rDIII reacted strongly with St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) MIAF but not with other flaviviruses. CONCLUSIONS: This antigen may be a potentially useful tool for serologic diagnosis and may contribute in future epidemiological surveillance of WNV infections in Brazil.

Diagnóstico laboratorial do líquido amniótico / Laboratory diagnosis of amniotic fluid

O presente trabalho tem como objetivos a definiçäo e a fisiologia do líquido amniótico, ressaltando aspectos citológicos e principais técnicas para diagnóstico laboratorial das patologias mais freqüentes. A metodologia utilizada foi a revisäo bibliográfica atualizada relacionando os aspectos citológicos com a idade gestacional e técnicas laboratoriais para diagnóstico das principais patologias em que säo observadas alterações do líquido amniótico, concluindo-se que este é um importante componente do ambiente intra-uterino. Sua produçäo e absorçäo dependem de uma série de mecanismos interdependentes entre o feto, a placenta, as membranas e o organismo materno. Atualmente este fluido pode fornecer inúmeras informações sobre a saúde fetal, realizando-se diversas técnicas, entre elas a amniocentese e a dosagem de alfafetoproteína, que pode detectar defeitos do tubo neural e trissomia do cromossomo 21. A análise do líquido amniótico reforça a importância da realizaçäo adequada de um pré-natal, sendo importante relacionar os resultados laboratoriais com a clínica

Panorama da hepatite B no Brasil e no Estado de Santa Catarina / An overview of hepatitis B in Brazil and in the state of Santa Catarina

OBJETIVO: Traçar um panorama da infecção por hepatite B no Brasil, na Região Sul e no Estado de Santa Catarina para o período de 1996 a 2002, considerando aspectos epidemiológicos como faixa etária. FONTE DOS DADOS:Os dados foram obtidos a partir de levantamento bibliográfico e consulta à Secretaria de Vigilância Epidemiológica do Estado de Santa Catarina e à Fundação Nacional de Saúde (FUNASA). RESULTADOS: No Brasil, de 1996 a 2000, a hepatite B foi o segundo tipo de hepatite viral mais prevalente (25%), tendo sido a hepatite A líder em casos (43%). Em Santa Catarina houve predomínio de hepatite B em relação às outras hepatites de 1997 a 2001. O sexo mais atingido pela hepatite B foi o masculino e a maior incidência de hepatite B foi observada na faixa etária dos 20 aos 49 anos para Santa Catarina e acima dos 30 anos para o Brasil. O Sul foi a região brasileira que apresentou a maior incidência de hepatite B no período de 1997 a 1999. Em Santa Catarina, o maior número de casos entre 1996 e 2002 ocorreu na macrorregião sul, seguida das macrorregiões nordeste e extremo oeste. CONCLUSÕES: Ainda é crescente o número de casos de hepatite B no Brasil e deve-se considerar que a subnotificação pode afetar os números apresentados. Em todo o Brasil, a vacinação deve ser estendida a adolescentes em regiões de prevalência moderada a alta.

Objective. To provide an overview of hepatitis B infection in Brazil overall, in the South of Brazil, and in the state of Santa Catarina (in southeastern Brazil) for the period of 1996 through 2002, taking into consideration such epidemiological aspects as age and sex. Source of data. Data were obtained through a literature review and by consulting with Brazil's National Health Foundation and with Santa Catarina's Department of Epidemiological Surveillance. Results. In Brazil, from 1996 through 2000, hepatitis B was the second most prevalent type of viral hepatitis (25%), with hepatitis A leading in terms of the proportion of cases (43%). In Santa Catarina there was a predominance of hepatitis B in relation to other types of hepatitis from 1997 through 2001. In both Brazil and Santa Catarina there was a larger number of cases among males than among females. In terms of age, the highest incidence was found among those 20 to 49 years old in Santa Catarina and among those over 30 for Brazil overall. The South of Brazil was the country's region with the highest incidence of hepatitis B from 1997 through 1999. In Santa Catarina the largest number of cases from 1996 through 2002 occurred in the southern part of the state, followed by the northeastern and far western sections of the state. Conclusions. The number of cases of hepatitis B is still growing in Brazil, and it is important to consider that underreporting may have affected the results described in this study. Throughout Brazil, vaccination should be extended to include adolescents