Characteristics of women diagnosed with mpox infection compared to men: A case series from Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Cisgender men were mostly affected during the 2022 mpox multinational outbreak, with few cases reported in women. This study compares the characteristics of individuals diagnosed with mpox infection according to gender in Rio de Janeiro. METHODS: We obtained surveillance data of mpox cases notified to Rio de Janeiro State Health Department (June 12 to December 15, 2022). We compared women (cisgender or transgender) to men (cisgender or transgender) using chi-squared, Fisher's exact, and Mood's median tests. RESULTS: A total of 1306 mpox cases were reported; 1188 (91.0%) men (99.8% cisgender, 0.2% transgender), 108 (8.3%) women (87.0% cisgender, 13.0% transgender), and 10 (0.8%) non-binary persons. Compared to men, women were more frequently older (40+years: 34.3% vs. 25.1%; p < 0.001), reported more frequent non-sexual contact with a potential mpox case (21.4% vs. 9.8%; p = 0.004), fewer sexual partnerships (10.9 vs. 54.8%; p < 0.001), less sexual contact with a potential mpox case (18.5% vs. 43.0%; p < 0.001), fewer genital lesions (31.8% vs. 57.9%; p < 0.001), fewer systemic mpox signs/symptoms (38.0% vs. 50.1%; p = 0.015) and had a lower HIV prevalence (8.3% vs. 46.3%; p < 0.001), with all cases among transgender women. Eight women were hospitalized; no deaths occurred. The highest number of cases among women were notified in epidemiological week 34, when the number of cases among men started to decrease. CONCLUSIONS: Women diagnosed with mpox presented differences in epidemiological, behavioral, and clinical characteristics compared to men. Health services should provide a comprehensive assessment that accounts for gender diversity.

Liquid production of entomopathogenic fungi and ultraviolet radiation and temperature effects on produced propagules / Produção líquida de fungos entomopatogênicos e efeitos da radiação ultravioleta e da temperatura sobre os propágulos produzidos

The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the liquid culture media for the production of Metarhizium anisopliae (IBCB 425) and Beauveria bassiana (IBCB 66), as well as the tolerance of these seedlings to the ultraviolet action and to the temperature. Twelve treatments composed of combinations between carbon and nitrogen concentrations were assessed. In order to determine the effect of ultraviolet radiation, plates with blastos-pores were exposed to it for 25 and 50 seconds. To determine the temperature efect, blastospores from culture media were exposed to 20, 25, 30 and 35°. For the virulence experiments, caterpillars of Diatraea saccharalis were sprayed with 2 mL of fungal suspension with the aid of a Potter tower. Te best media for M. anisopliae are 16.00 g (carbon) + 7.00 g (nitrogen) and 14.40 g (carbon) + 7.00 g (nitrogen), whereas for B. bassiana: 20.00 g (carbon) + 6.30 g (nitrogen) and 20.00 g (carbon) + 7.00 g (nitrogen). Te longer the exposure to ultraviolet radiation, the smaller the number of colonies. At 35°, there is a significant decrease in the formation of colonies. Te produced seedlings of fungi are pathogenic to D. saccharalis.(AU)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os meios de cultura líquidos para a produção de Metarhizium anisopliae (IBCB 425) e Beauveria bassiana (IBCB 66), bem como a tolerância desses propágulos à ação dos raios ultravioleta e à temperatura. Foram avaliados 12 tratamentos compostos pelas combinações entre carbono e nitrogênio. Para determinar o efeito da radiação ultravioleta, placas com blastósporos foram expostas à radiação por 25 e 50 segundos. Para conhecer o efeito da temperatura, os blastósporos de meios de cultura foram expostos a temperaturas de 20, 25, 30 e 35°. Para os experimentos de virulência, as lagartas Diatraea saccharalis foram pulverizadas com 2mL de suspensão fúngica, com o auxílio de uma torre de Potter. Os melhores meios para M. anisopliae são 16,00 g (carbono) + 7,00 g (nitrogênio) e 14,40 g (carbono) + 7,00 g (nitrogênio), e para B. bassiana, 20,00 g (carbono) + 6,30 g (nitrogênio) e 20,00 g (carbono) + 7,00 g (nitrogênio). Quanto mais tempo de exposição à radiação ultravioleta, menor o número de colônias. Aos 35°, há uma diminuição signifcativa na formação de colônias. Os propágulos produzidos pelos fungos são patogênicos a D. saccharalis.(AU)