[Overview of long COVID in Brazil: a preliminary analysis of a survey to think about health policies]. / Panorama da COVID longa no Brasil: análise preliminar de um inquérito para pensar políticas de saúde.

Characterized by symptoms that remain or appear for the first time within three months of SARS-CoV-2 infection, long COVID can manifest itself in different ways, including in non-hospitalized or asymptomatic cases. Thus, this study offers an overview of long COVID in Brazil, especially of its diagnosis, symptoms, and challenges for new health management. Data from a study that investigated long COVID in people affected by COVID-19 were used. These original data stem from a survey with adult Brazilians (aged 18 years or older) who had COVID-19 that collected information from March 14 to April 14, 2022, by a questionnaire on social media. The questionnaire addressed sociodemographic characteristics, history of COVID-19 infections, vaccination against the disease, investigation of health status and quality of life before and after COVID-19, and search and access to treatment. Of the 1,728 respondents, 720 were considered eligible for analysis, of which 496 (69%) had long COVID. Individuals with long COVID reported clinical manifestations such as anxiety (80%), memory loss (78%), generalized pain (77%), lack of attention (75%), fatigue (73%), hair loss (71%), sleep changes (70%), mood swings (62%), malaise (60%), and joint pain (59%). Most sought health services during and after the acute phase of COVID-19 (94 and 80%, respectively), representing the need to structure the healthcare system for these patients.

Caracterizada por sintomas que permanecem ou aparecem pela primeira vez em até três meses após a infecção pelo SARS-CoV-2, a COVID longa pode se manifestar de diferentes formas, inclusive entre casos não hospitalizados ou assintomáticos. Nesse sentido, este artigo apresenta um panorama da COVID longa no Brasil, com ênfase no diagnóstico, nos sintomas e nos desafios para a nova gestão da saúde. Foram utilizados dados de um estudo realizado com objetivo de investigar a COVID longa em pessoas acometidas pela COVID-19, com dados originais de um inquérito com indivíduos brasileiros adultos (18 anos ou mais) que tiveram COVID-19, coletados entre 14 de março e 14 de abril de 2022, por meio de questionário divulgado em redes sociais. O questionário abordou características sociodemográficas, histórico de infecções por COVID-19, vacinação contra a doença, investigação da situação de saúde e da qualidade de vida antes e após a COVID-19, além da busca e acesso a tratamento. Dos 1.728 respondentes, 720 foram considerados elegíveis para a análise. Desses, 496 (69%) tiveram COVID longa. Os indivíduos com COVID longa reportaram manifestações clínicas como ansiedade (80%), perda de memória (78%), dor generalizada (77%), falta de atenção (75%), fadiga (73%), queda de cabelo (71%), alterações de sono (70%), alterações de humor (62%), indisposição (60%) e dor nas articulações (59%). A maioria procurou os serviços de saúde durante e após a fase aguda de COVID-19 (94% e 80%, respectivamente), o que representa a necessidade de estruturar o sistema de saúde para atender esses pacientes.

Caracterizado por síntomas que permanecen o aparecen por primera vez dentro de los tres meses posteriores a la infección por SARS-CoV-2, la COVID larga puede manifestarse de diferentes formas, incluso entre casos no hospitalizados o asintomáticos. En este sentido, este artículo presenta un panorama la COVID larga en Brasil, con énfasis en el diagnóstico, los síntomas y los desafíos para la nueva gestión de la salud. Se utilizaron datos de una encuesta realizada para investigar la COVID larga en personas afectadas por COVID-19. Se trata de datos originales de una encuesta con individuos brasileños adultos (18 años o más), que tuvieron COVID-19, con datos recolectados entre el 14 de marzo y el 14 de abril de 2022, por medio de un cuestionario divulgado en las redes sociales. El cuestionario abordó características sociodemográficas, historial de infecciones por COVID-19, vacunación contra la enfermedad, investigación de la situación de salud y de la calidad de vida antes y después de COVID-19, además de la búsqueda y acceso a tratamiento. De los 1.728 encuestados, 720 fueron considerados elegibles para el análisis. De ellos, 496 (69%) tenían COVID larga. Las personas con COVID larga informaron manifestaciones clínicas como ansiedad (80%), pérdida de memoria (78%), dolor generalizado (77%), falta de atención (75%), fatiga (73%), pérdida de cabello (71%), cambios en el sueño (70%), cambios de humor (62%), malestar (60%) y dolor en las articulaciones (59%). La mayoría recurrió a los servicios de salud durante y después de la fase aguda de COVID-19 (94% y 80%, respectivamente), lo que representa la necesidad de estructurar el sistema de salud para atender a estos pacientes.

Panorama da COVID longa no Brasil: análise preliminar de um inquérito para pensar políticas de saúde / Overview of long COVID in Brazil: a preliminary analysis of a survey to think about health policies / Panorama de la COVID larga en Brasil: un análisis preliminar de una encuesta para pensar en políticas de salud

Caracterizada por sintomas que permanecem ou aparecem pela primeira vez em até três meses após a infecção pelo SARS-CoV-2, a COVID longa pode se manifestar de diferentes formas, inclusive entre casos não hospitalizados ou assintomáticos. Nesse sentido, este artigo apresenta um panorama da COVID longa no Brasil, com ênfase no diagnóstico, nos sintomas e nos desafios para a nova gestão da saúde. Foram utilizados dados de um estudo realizado com objetivo de investigar a COVID longa em pessoas acometidas pela COVID-19, com dados originais de um inquérito com indivíduos brasileiros adultos (18 anos ou mais) que tiveram COVID-19, coletados entre 14 de março e 14 de abril de 2022, por meio de questionário divulgado em redes sociais. O questionário abordou características sociodemográficas, histórico de infecções por COVID-19, vacinação contra a doença, investigação da situação de saúde e da qualidade de vida antes e após a COVID-19, além da busca e acesso a tratamento. Dos 1.728 respondentes, 720 foram considerados elegíveis para a análise. Desses, 496 (69%) tiveram COVID longa. Os indivíduos com COVID longa reportaram manifestações clínicas como ansiedade (80%), perda de memória (78%), dor generalizada (77%), falta de atenção (75%), fadiga (73%), queda de cabelo (71%), alterações de sono (70%), alterações de humor (62%), indisposição (60%) e dor nas articulações (59%). A maioria procurou os serviços de saúde durante e após a fase aguda de COVID-19 (94% e 80%, respectivamente), o que representa a necessidade de estruturar o sistema de saúde para atender esses pacientes.

Characterized by symptoms that remain or appear for the first time within three months of SARS-CoV-2 infection, long COVID can manifest itself in different ways, including in non-hospitalized or asymptomatic cases. Thus, this study offers an overview of long COVID in Brazil, especially of its diagnosis, symptoms, and challenges for new health management. Data from a study that investigated long COVID in people affected by COVID-19 were used. These original data stem from a survey with adult Brazilians (aged 18 years or older) who had COVID-19 that collected information from March 14 to April 14, 2022, by a questionnaire on social media. The questionnaire addressed sociodemographic characteristics, history of COVID-19 infections, vaccination against the disease, investigation of health status and quality of life before and after COVID-19, and search and access to treatment. Of the 1,728 respondents, 720 were considered eligible for analysis, of which 496 (69%) had long COVID. Individuals with long COVID reported clinical manifestations such as anxiety (80%), memory loss (78%), generalized pain (77%), lack of attention (75%), fatigue (73%), hair loss (71%), sleep changes (70%), mood swings (62%), malaise (60%), and joint pain (59%). Most sought health services during and after the acute phase of COVID-19 (94 and 80%, respectively), representing the need to structure the healthcare system for these patients.

Caracterizado por síntomas que permanecen o aparecen por primera vez dentro de los tres meses posteriores a la infección por SARS-CoV-2, la COVID larga puede manifestarse de diferentes formas, incluso entre casos no hospitalizados o asintomáticos. En este sentido, este artículo presenta un panorama la COVID larga en Brasil, con énfasis en el diagnóstico, los síntomas y los desafíos para la nueva gestión de la salud. Se utilizaron datos de una encuesta realizada para investigar la COVID larga en personas afectadas por COVID-19. Se trata de datos originales de una encuesta con individuos brasileños adultos (18 años o más), que tuvieron COVID-19, con datos recolectados entre el 14 de marzo y el 14 de abril de 2022, por medio de un cuestionario divulgado en las redes sociales. El cuestionario abordó características sociodemográficas, historial de infecciones por COVID-19, vacunación contra la enfermedad, investigación de la situación de salud y de la calidad de vida antes y después de COVID-19, además de la búsqueda y acceso a tratamiento. De los 1.728 encuestados, 720 fueron considerados elegibles para el análisis. De ellos, 496 (69%) tenían COVID larga. Las personas con COVID larga informaron manifestaciones clínicas como ansiedad (80%), pérdida de memoria (78%), dolor generalizado (77%), falta de atención (75%), fatiga (73%), pérdida de cabello (71%), cambios en el sueño (70%), cambios de humor (62%), malestar (60%) y dolor en las articulaciones (59%). La mayoría recurrió a los servicios de salud durante y después de la fase aguda de COVID-19 (94% y 80%, respectivamente), lo que representa la necesidad de estructurar el sistema de salud para atender a estos pacientes.

Multimorbidity worsened anxiety and depression symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

Multimorbidity is a global health issue impacting the quality of life of all ages. Multimorbidity with a mental disorder is little studied and is likely to have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We used a survey of 14,007 respondents living in Brazil to investigate whether people who already had at least one chronic medical condition had more depression and anxiety symptoms during social distancing in 2020. Generalized linear models and structural equation modelling were used to estimate the effects. A 19 % and 15 % increase in depressive symptoms were found in females and males, respectively, for each unit of increase in the observed value of reported chronic disease. Older subjects presented fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety. There was a 16 % increase in anxiety symptoms in females for each unit increase in the reported chronic disease variable and a 14 % increase in males. Younger subjects were more affected by anxiety symptoms in a dose-response fashion. High income was significantly related to fewer depressive and anxiety symptoms in both males and females. Physical activity was significantly associated with fewer anxiety and depression symptoms. Structural equation modelling confirmed these results and provided further insight into the hypothesised paths.

A rare case of pulmonary lymphangiectasia associated with CHD.

CHD may, at times, occur in the framework of other rare pathologies. These, having similar clinical manifestations, present a diagnostic dilemma for the clinician.The authors present the case of an infant with non-syndromic complete atrioventricular septal defect, whose post-operative period was surprisingly complicated by progressive pulmonary hypertension. Despite intensive care, the infant ultimately died. The diagnosis of unilateral primary pulmonary lymphangiectasia was only possible post mortem.

Doença de Kawasaki: Preditores de Resistência à Imunoglobulina Intravenosa e Complicações Cardíacas / Kawasaki Disease: Predictors of Resistance to Intravenous Immunoglobulin and Cardiac Complications

Resumo Fundamento: A doença de Kawasaki (DK) é a principal causa de cardiopatia adquirida em idade pediátrica nos países desenvolvidos. Objetivos: Identificar fatores preditores de resistência à imunoglobulina intravenosa (IGIV), calcular a eficácia dos modelos preditores japoneses e caracterizar as complicações cardíacas. Métodos: Análise retrospectiva dos casos de DK entre janeiro de 2006 e julho de 2018 em um hospital pediátrico português. Foram construídas curvas ROC para encontrar fatores preditores de resistência e utilizada regressão logística multivariada para elaborar o modelo preditor. O nível de significância utilizado foi de 5%. Resultados: Foram incluídos 48 pacientes com mediana de idade de 36 meses. Verificou-se resistência à IGIV em 21%. Ocorreram alterações ecocardiográficas em 46%, com envolvimento coronário em 25%. Como variáveis preditoras de resistência, a proteína C-reativa (PC-R) apresentou uma AUC ROC = 0,789, ponto de corte = 15,1 mg/dL, sensibilidade (S) = 77,8% e especificidade (E) = 78,9%. A velocidade de sedimentação (VS) apresentou uma AUC ROC = 0,781, ponto de corte = 90,5 mm/h, S = 66,7% e E = 85,7%. O modelo com as duas variáveis apresentou valor p = 0,042 e AUC ROC = 0,790. O modelo Kobayashi apresentou S = 63,6% e E = 77,3%; Egami, S = 66,7% e E = 73,1%; e Sano, S = 28,6% e E = 94,1%. Conclusão: A PC-R e a VS são variáveis independentes que mostraram tendência preditora de resistência à IGIV com pontos de corte ótimos de 15,1 mg/dL e 90,5 mm/h, respectivamente. Cerca de metade dos pacientes teve algum tipo de envolvimento cardíaco. Os modelos japoneses não têm utilidade nessa população. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2021; 116(3):485-491)

Abstract Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is the leading cause of acquired cardiac disease in children, in developed countries. Objectives: To identify predictive factors for resistance to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), calculate the effectiveness of Japanese predictive models and characterize cardiac complications. Methods: Retrospective analysis of KD cases admitted in a Portuguese paediatric hospital between january 2006 and july 2018. ROC curves were used to determine predictive factors for resistance and the multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to develop the predictive model. A significance level of 5% was used. Results: 48 patients with a median age of 36 months were included. The IVIG resistance was 21%. Echocardiographic anomalies were noted in 46%, with coronary involvement in 25% of the sample population. As predictive variable of resistance, the C-reactive protein (CRP) presented an AUC ROC = 0.789, optimal cut-off value 15.1 mg/dL, sensitivity (Sn) 77.8% and specificity (Sp) 78.9%. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) presented an AUC ROC = 0.781, optimal cut-off value 90.5 mm/h, Sn 66.7% and Sp 85.7%. The model with the two variables showed p = 0.042 and AUC ROC = 0.790. Predictive strength of Japanese models were: Kobayashi (Sn 63.6%, Sp 77.3%), Egami (Sn 66.7%, Sp 73.1%), Sano (Sn 28.6%, Sp 94.1%). Conclusion: CRP and ESR are independent variables that were related to IVIG resistance, with optimal cut-off points of 15.1 mg/dL and 90.5 mm/h, respectively. About half of the patients had some form of cardiac involvement. The Japanese models appeared to be inadequate in our population. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2021; 116(3):485-491)

Kawasaki Disease: Predictors of Resistance to Intravenous Immunoglobulin and Cardiac Complications. / Doença de Kawasaki: Preditores de Resistência à Imunoglobulina Intravenosa e Complicações Cardíacas.

BACKGROUND: Kawasaki disease (KD) is the leading cause of acquired cardiac disease in children, in developed countries. OBJECTIVES: To identify predictive factors for resistance to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), calculate the effectiveness of Japanese predictive models and characterize cardiac complications. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of KD cases admitted in a Portuguese paediatric hospital between january 2006 and july 2018. ROC curves were used to determine predictive factors for resistance and the multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to develop the predictive model. A significance level of 5% was used. RESULTS: 48 patients with a median age of 36 months were included. The IVIG resistance was 21%. Echocardiographic anomalies were noted in 46%, with coronary involvement in 25% of the sample population. As predictive variable of resistance, the C-reactive protein (CRP) presented an AUC ROC = 0.789, optimal cut-off value 15.1 mg/dL, sensitivity (Sn) 77.8% and specificity (Sp) 78.9%. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) presented an AUC ROC = 0.781, optimal cut-off value 90.5 mm/h, Sn 66.7% and Sp 85.7%. The model with the two variables showed p = 0.042 and AUC ROC = 0.790. Predictive strength of Japanese models were: Kobayashi (Sn 63.6%, Sp 77.3%), Egami (Sn 66.7%, Sp 73.1%), Sano (Sn 28.6%, Sp 94.1%). CONCLUSION: CRP and ESR are independent variables that were related to IVIG resistance, with optimal cut-off points of 15.1 mg/dL and 90.5 mm/h, respectively. About half of the patients had some form of cardiac involvement. The Japanese models appeared to be inadequate in our population. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2021; 116(3):485-491).

FUNDAMENTO: A doença de Kawasaki (DK) é a principal causa de cardiopatia adquirida em idade pediátrica nos países desenvolvidos. OBJETIVOS: Identificar fatores preditores de resistência à imunoglobulina intravenosa (IGIV), calcular a eficácia dos modelos preditores japoneses e caracterizar as complicações cardíacas. MÉTODOS: Análise retrospectiva dos casos de DK entre janeiro de 2006 e julho de 2018 em um hospital pediátrico português. Foram construídas curvas ROC para encontrar fatores preditores de resistência e utilizada regressão logística multivariada para elaborar o modelo preditor. O nível de significância utilizado foi de 5%. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 48 pacientes com mediana de idade de 36 meses. Verificou-se resistência à IGIV em 21%. Ocorreram alterações ecocardiográficas em 46%, com envolvimento coronário em 25%. Como variáveis preditoras de resistência, a proteína C-reativa (PC-R) apresentou uma AUC ROC = 0,789, ponto de corte = 15,1 mg/dL, sensibilidade (S) = 77,8% e especificidade (E) = 78,9%. A velocidade de sedimentação (VS) apresentou uma AUC ROC = 0,781, ponto de corte = 90,5 mm/h, S = 66,7% e E = 85,7%. O modelo com as duas variáveis apresentou valor p = 0,042 e AUC ROC = 0,790. O modelo Kobayashi apresentou S = 63,6% e E = 77,3%; Egami, S = 66,7% e E = 73,1%; e Sano, S = 28,6% e E = 94,1%. CONCLUSÃO: A PC-R e a VS são variáveis independentes que mostraram tendência preditora de resistência à IGIV com pontos de corte ótimos de 15,1 mg/dL e 90,5 mm/h, respectivamente. Cerca de metade dos pacientes teve algum tipo de envolvimento cardíaco. Os modelos japoneses não têm utilidade nessa população. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2021; 116(3):485-491).

Pneumopericardium and pleural effusion: a rare complication of paediatric pericardiocentesis.

Pneumopericardium is a rare complication of pericardiocentesis (PC), occurring as a result of either a direct pleuropericardial communication or a leaky drainage system. Pneumopericardium is often self-limiting; however, physicians should be aware of this complication as it may progress to tension pneumopericardium, which requires immediate recognition and management. PC has been associated with pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum or subcutaneous emphysema, but the association with pleural effusion has been less reported. The authors present the case of a 14-year-old healthy boy who developed post-PC pneumopericardium and pleural effusion, a rare association reported in the literature. The diagnosis of this potential life-threatening event was made using readily available complementary diagnostic methods, such as transthoracic echocardiography and chest X-ray.

A case of double-outlet left ventricle, malposition of the great arteries, and superior-inferior ventricular arrangement.

Superior-inferior ventricular arrangement with double-outlet left ventricle and malposition of the great arteries is an extremely rare congenital cardiac anomaly. The authors present the case of an infant who presented with cyanosis and respiratory distress. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case reported.

The global scientific research response to the public health emergency of Zika virus infection.

BACKGROUND: Science studies have been a field of research for different knowledge areas, and they have been successfully used to analyse the construction of scientific knowledge, practice and dissemination. In this study, we aimed to verify how the Zika epidemic has moulded the scientific articles published worldwide by analysing international collaborations and the knowledge landscape through time, as well as research topics and country involvement. METHODOLOGY: We searched the Web of Science (WoS), Scopus and PubMed for studies published up to 31st December 2018 on Zika using the search terms "zika", "zkv" or "zikv". We analysed the scientific production regarding which countries have published the most, on which topics, as well as country level collaboration. We performed a scientometric analysis of research on Zika focusing on knowledge mapping and the scientific research path over time and space. FINDINGS: We found two well defined research areas divided into three subtopics accounting for six clusters. With regard to country analysis, the USA and Brazil were the countries with the highest numbers of publications on Zika. China entered as a new player focusing on specific research areas. When we took into consideration the epidemics and reported cases, Brazil and France were the leading research countries on related topics. As for international collaboration, the USA followed by England and France stand out as the main hubs. The research areas most published included public health-related topics from 2015 until the very beginning of 2016, followed by an increase in topics related to the clinical aspects of the disease in 2016 and the emergence of laboratory research in 2017/2018. CONCLUSIONS: Mapping the response to Zika, a public health emergency, demonstrated a clear pattern of the participation of countries in the scientific advances. The pattern of knowledge production found in this study represented varying country perspectives, research capacity and interests based first on their level of exposure to the epidemic and second on their financial positions regarding science.

Rare cause of cardiac failure in an infant.

Congenital stenosis of the pulmonary veins is a rare condition whose outcome is guarded despite the available treatment options. We report a case of a 6-month-old infant with significant stenosis of all four pulmonary veins.

Distribution of influenza virus types by age using case-based global surveillance data from twenty-nine countries, 1999-2014.

BACKGROUND: Influenza disease burden varies by age and this has important public health implications. We compared the proportional distribution of different influenza virus types within age strata using surveillance data from twenty-nine countries during 1999-2014 (N=358,796 influenza cases). METHODS: For each virus, we calculated a Relative Illness Ratio (defined as the ratio of the percentage of cases in an age group to the percentage of the country population in the same age group) for young children (0-4 years), older children (5-17 years), young adults (18-39 years), older adults (40-64 years), and the elderly (65+ years). We used random-effects meta-analysis models to obtain summary relative illness ratios (sRIRs), and conducted meta-regression and sub-group analyses to explore causes of between-estimates heterogeneity. RESULTS: The influenza virus with highest sRIR was A(H1N1) for young children, B for older children, A(H1N1)pdm2009 for adults, and (A(H3N2) for the elderly. As expected, considering the diverse nature of the national surveillance datasets included in our analysis, between-estimates heterogeneity was high (I2>90%) for most sRIRs. The variations of countries' geographic, demographic and economic characteristics and the proportion of outpatients among reported influenza cases explained only part of the heterogeneity, suggesting that multiple factors were at play. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the importance of presenting burden of disease estimates by age group and virus (sub)type.

A dupla epidemia: febre amarela e desinformação / Two epidemics: the yellow fever and a lack of information / La dupla epidemia: la fiebre amarilla y la falta de información

Esta nota apresenta um breve histórico da origem da febre amarela no Brasil, das medidas de controle e das dificuldades para que orientações de saúde pública cheguem à população. Nela analisam-se alguns episódios de geração de boatos, assim como informações mentirosas e suas consequências muitas vezes danosas.Aponta-se a necessidade de oferecer e divulgar fontes confiáveis para os profissionais e a comunidade, em especial por meio do fortalecimento das instituições e de suas áreas de comunicação social. Assinala-se também a importância do trabalho de campo das equipes de atenção básica, para localizar pessoas expostas a risco, levando-lhes informações e vacinas.(AU)

This paper presents a brief history of yellow fever origin in Brazil, of the control measures and of the difficulties to the public health guidance to reach the population. It analyzes some cases of rumour propagation, as wellas fake information and its often damaging consequences. It points out the need to offer and disseminatereliable sources to professionals and the community, especially through the strengthening of institutions and their areas of social communication. It also highlights the importance of the fieldwork of the primary health care teams, so that they can find people at risk and bring information and vaccines to them.

Esta nota presenta una breve historia del origen de la fiebre amarilla en Brasil, de las medidas de control yde las dificultades de las orientaciones de salud pública para llegar a la población. Analiza algunos casos degeneración de rumores, así como informaciones falsas y sus consecuencias a menudo perjudiciales. Señalala necesidad de ofrecer y difundir fuentes confiables a los profesionales y a la comunidad, en especial a través del fortalecimiento de las instituciones y sus áreas de comunicación social. También destaca la importancia del trabajo de campo de los equipos de atención primaria de salud, para localizar personas expuestas alriesgo y así llevar a ellas informaciones y vacunas.

Association between microcephaly, Zika virus infection, and other risk factors in Brazil: final report of a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: A Zika virus epidemic emerged in northeast Brazil in 2015 and was followed by a striking increase in congenital microcephaly cases, triggering a declaration of an international public health emergency. This is the final report of the first case-control study evaluating the potential causes of microcephaly: congenital Zika virus infection, vaccines, and larvicides. The published preliminary report suggested a strong association between microcephaly and congenital Zika virus infection. METHODS: We did a case-control study in eight public maternity hospitals in Recife, Brazil. Cases were neonates born with microcephaly, defined as a head circumference of 2 SD below the mean. Two controls without microcephaly were matched to each case by expected date of delivery and area of residence. We tested the serum of cases and controls and the CSF of cases for detection of Zika virus genomes with quantitative RT-PCR and for detection of IgM antibodies with capture-IgM ELISA. We also tested maternal serum with plaque reduction neutralisation assays for Zika and dengue viruses. We estimated matched crude and adjusted odds ratios with exact conditional logistic regression to determine the association between microcephaly and Zika virus infection. FINDINGS: We screened neonates born between Jan 15 and Nov 30, 2016, and prospectively recruited 91 cases and 173 controls. In 32 (35%) cases, congenital Zika virus infection was confirmed by laboratory tests and no controls had confirmed Zika virus infections. 69 (83%) of 83 cases with known birthweight were small for gestational age, compared with eight (5%) of 173 controls. The overall matched odds ratio was 73·1 (95% CI 13·0-∞) for microcephaly and Zika virus infection after adjustments. Neither vaccination during pregnancy or use of the larvicide pyriproxyfen was associated with microcephaly. Results of laboratory tests for Zika virus and brain imaging results were available for 79 (87%) cases; within these cases, ten were positive for Zika virus and had cerebral abnormalities, 13 were positive for Zika infection but had no cerebral abnormalities, and 11 were negative for Zika virus but had cerebral abnormalities. INTERPRETATION: The association between microcephaly and congenital Zika virus infection was confirmed. We provide evidence of the absence of an effect of other potential factors, such as exposure to pyriproxyfen or vaccines (tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis, measles and rubella, or measles, mumps, and rubella) during pregnancy, confirming the findings of an ecological study of pyriproxyfen in Pernambuco and previous studies on the safety of Tdap vaccine administration during pregnancy. FUNDING: Brazilian Ministry of Health, Pan American Health Organization, and Enhancing Research Activity in Epidemic Situations.

Characteristics of seasonal influenza A and B in Latin America: Influenza surveillance data from ten countries.

INTRODUCTION: The increased availability of influenza surveillance data in recent years justifies an actual and more complete overview of influenza epidemiology in Latin America. We compared the influenza surveillance systems and assessed the epidemiology of influenza A and B, including the spatio-temporal patterns of influenza epidemics, in ten countries and sub-national regions in Latin America. METHODS: We aggregated the data by year and country and characteristics of eighty-two years were analysed. We calculated the median proportion of laboratory-confirmed influenza cases caused by each virus strain, and compared the timing and amplitude of the primary and secondary peaks between countries. RESULTS: 37,087 influenza cases were reported during 2004-2012. Influenza A and B accounted for a median of 79% and, respectively, 21% of cases in a year. The percentage of influenza A cases that were subtyped was 82.5%; for influenza B, 15.6% of cases were characterized. Influenza A and B were dominant in seventy-five (91%) and seven (9%) years, respectively. In half (51%) of the influenza A years, influenza A(H3N2) was dominant, followed by influenza A(H1N1)pdm2009 (41%) and pre-pandemic A(H1N1) (8%). The primary peak of influenza activity was in June-September in temperate climate countries, with little or no secondary peak. Tropical climate countries had smaller primary peaks taking place in different months and frequently detectable secondary peaks. CONCLUSIONS: We found that good influenza surveillance data exists in Latin America, although improvements can still be made (e.g. a better characterization of influenza B specimens); that influenza B plays a considerable role in the seasonal influenza burden; and that there is substantial heterogeneity of spatio-temporal patterns of influenza epidemics. To improve the effectiveness of influenza control measures in Latin America, tropical climate countries may need to develop innovative prevention strategies specifically tailored to the spatio-temporal patterns of influenza in this region.

Características dos primeiros casos de microcefalia possivelmente relacionados ao vírus Zika notificados na Região Metropolitana de Recife, Pernambuco / Características de los primeros casos de microcefalia, posiblemente relacionadas con el virus Zika reportados en la Región Metropolitana de Recife / Characteristics of the first cases of microcephaly possibly related to Zika virus reported in the Metropolitan Region of Recife, Pernambuco State, Brazil

OBJETIVO: descrever os primeiros casos de microcefalia possivelmente relacionados ao vírus Zika em nascidos vivos notificados na Região Metropolitana do Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil. MÉTODOS: estudo descritivo de tipo série de casos (notificados de 1º de agosto a 31 de outubro de 2015), com dados obtidos dos registros médicos e de questionário aplicado às mães. RESULTADOS: foram confirmados 40 casos com microcefalia, distribuídos em oito municípios da Região Metropolitana do Recife, com maior concentração no Recife (n=12); a mediana do perímetro cefálico foi de 29 cm, do perímetro torácico, 31 cm, e do peso, 2.628 gramas; 21/25 casos apresentaram calcificação cerebral, ventriculomegalia ou lisencefalia; entre as 40 mães, 27 referiram exantema na gestação, 20 no primeiro trimestre e sete no segundo, além de prurido, cefaleia, mialgia e ausência de febre. CONCLUSÃO: a maioria dos casos apresentou características de infecção congênita; a maioria das mães apresentou quadro sugestivo de infecção pelo vírus Zika na gestação.

OBJETIVO: describir los primeros casos de microcefalia en nacidos vivos reportados al Departamento de Salud del Estado de Pernambuco, en la región metropolitana de Recife, Pernambuco, 2015. MÉTODOS: estudio epidemiológico descriptivo de serie de casos (reportados de 1 de agosto a 31 de octubre de 2015), con datos obtenidos de registros médicos y cuestionarios aplicados a las madres. RESULTADOS: 40 casos fueron confirmados con microcefalia, en ocho municipios de la región metropolitana de Recife, con mayor concentración de casos en Recife (n=12); la circunferencia media de la cabeza fue 29 cm, perímetro torácico 31 cm y peso 2.628 gramos; exámenes revelaron que 21/25 casos mostraron calcificación, dilatación ventricular o lisencefalia; de las 40 madres, 27 (68%) informan exantema durante la gestación, 20 (74%) en el primer trimestre y siete (26%) en la segunda, además de prurito, dolor de cabeza, mialgia y ausencia de fiebre. CONCLUSIÓN: la mayoría de los casos presenta características de infección congénita; la mayoría de las madres mostró características que sugieren infección por el virus Zika en el embarazo.

OBJECTIVE: to describe the first cases of microcephaly possibly related to Zika virus in live born babies reported in the Metropolitan Region of Recife, Pernambuco State, Brazil. METHODS: this was a descriptive case series study (cases reported between August 1st and October 31st 2015), using medical record data and data from a questionnaire answered by the mothers of the babies. RESULTS: 40 microcephaly cases were confirmed, distributed in eight municipalities within the Metropolitan Region, with Recife itself having the highest concentration of cases (n=12); median head circumference was 29 cm, median chest girth was 31 cm and median weight was 2,628 grams; 21/25 cases had brain calcification, ventriculomegaly or lissencephaly; 27 of the 40 mothers reported rash during pregnancy, 20 in the first trimester and 7 in the second trimester, as well as itching, headache, myalgia and absence of fever. CONCLUSION: the majority of the cases bore the characteristics of congenital infection; the clinical condition of the majority of mothers suggested Zika virus infection during pregnancy.