ABSTRACT Purpose: To describe a 2019 acute toxoplasmosis outbreak in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, and to evaluate the laboratory serological profile for toxoplasmosis for three consecutive years. The ophthalmological manifestations of the patients involved in the outbreak were also studied. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study of a toxoplasmosis outbreak in São Paulo, Brazil, between February and May 2019. Epidemiological data were described, as were the observed ocular manifestations. As part of this study the number of patients with positive IgM toxoplasmosis serology was obtained from a large laboratory network (DASA) for three consecutive years, including the year of the outbreak (2018, 2019, 2020). Results: Eighty-three individuals were identified in the outbreak and two clusters were studied. The clinical picture of at least 77% of the patients, the epidemiological analysis, and the short incubation period (5-8 days) suggested contamination by oocysts. Serological laboratory data analysis revealed an increase of positive toxoplasmosis IgM in 2019 of 73% compared to the previous year. Ophthalmological examination revealed that at least 4.8% of the patients developed toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis, none of whom had been treated during the acute systemic disease. Conclusion: Our findings indicate vegetable contamination as the possible source of this outbreak, a high prevalence of toxoplasmosis in São Paulo during the outbreak period, and a drop in the number of tests during the COVID-19 pandemic. Retinochoroiditis was observed in at least 4.8% of the cases. We confirm the need to implement effective means for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the disease. This may involve raising awareness among the population of the importance of vegetable hygiene, and improved quality control of food and water. Purpose 201 Brazil years studied Methods crosssectional cross sectional described DASA (DASA 2018, 2018 (2018 2020. 2020 . 2020) Results Eightythree Eighty 77 58 5 8 (5- days oocysts 73 48 4 4.8 retinochoroiditis disease Conclusion COVID19 COVID 19 COVID-1 pandemic cases prevention diagnosis hygiene water 20 (201 202 7 (5 4. COVID1 1 COVID- 2 (20 ( (2

ABSTRACT Purpose: To describe a 2019 acute toxoplasmosis outbreak in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, and to evaluate the laboratory serological profile for toxoplasmosis for three consecutive years. The ophthalmological manifestations of the patients involved in the outbreak were also studied. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study of a toxoplasmosis outbreak in São Paulo, Brazil, between February and May 2019. Epidemiological data were described, as were the observed ocular manifestations. As part of this study the number of patients with positive IgM toxoplasmosis serology was obtained from a large laboratory network (DASA) for three consecutive years, including the year of the outbreak (2018, 2019, 2020). Results: Eighty-three individuals were identified in the outbreak and two clusters were studied. The clinical picture of at least 77% of the patients, the epidemiological analysis, and the short incubation period (5-8 days) suggested contamination by oocysts. Serological laboratory data analysis revealed an increase of positive toxoplasmosis IgM in 2019 of 73% compared to the previous year. Ophthalmological examination revealed that at least 4.8% of the patients developed toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis, none of whom had been treated during the acute systemic disease. Conclusion: Our findings indicate vegetable contamination as the possible source of this outbreak, a high prevalence of toxoplasmosis in São Paulo during the outbreak period, and a drop in the number of tests during the COVID-19 pandemic. Retinochoroiditis was observed in at least 4.8% of the cases. We confirm the need to implement effective means for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the disease. This may involve raising awareness among the population of the importance of vegetable hygiene, and improved quality control of food and water. Purpose 201 Brazil years studied Methods crosssectional cross sectional described DASA (DASA 2018, 2018 (2018 2020. 2020 . 2020) Results Eightythree Eighty 77 58 5 8 (5- days oocysts 73 48 4 4.8 retinochoroiditis disease Conclusion COVID19 COVID 19 COVID-1 pandemic cases prevention diagnosis hygiene water 20 (201 202 7 (5 4. COVID1 1 COVID- 2 (20 ( (2

ABSTRACT Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients are at -increased risk for severe COVID-19. The aim of this study was to evaluate the burden of COVID-19 in a cohort of HSCT recipients. This retrospective study evaluated a cohort of adult hospitalized HSCT recipients diagnosed with COVID-19 in two large hospitals in São Paulo, Brazil post-HSCT, from January 2020 to June 2022. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Of 49 cases, 63.2% were male with a median age of 47 years. Allogeneic-HSCT (51.2%) and autologous-HSCT (48.9%) patients were included. The median time from HSCT to COVID-19 diagnosis was 398 days (IQR: 1211-134), with 22 (44.8%) cases occurring within 12 months of transplantation. Most cases occurred during the first year of the pandemic, in non-vaccinated patients (n=35; 71.4%). Most patients developed severe (24.4%) or critical (40.8%) disease; 67.3% received some medication for COVID-19, primarily corticosteroids (53.0%). The probable invasive aspergillosis prevalence was 10.2%. All-cause mortality was 40.8%, 51.4% in non-vaccinated patients and 14.2% in patients who received at least one dose of the vaccine. In the multiple regression analyses, the variables mechanical ventilation (OR: 101.01; 95% CI: 8.205 – 1,242.93; p = 0.003) and chest CT involvement at diagnosis ≥50% (OR: 26.61; 95% CI: 1.06 – 664.26; p = 0.04) remained associated with all-cause mortality. Thus, HSCT recipients with COVID-19 experienced high mortality, highlighting the need for full vaccination and infection prevention measures. (HSCT increased COVID19. COVID19 COVID 19. 19 COVID-1 Paulo postHSCT, postHSCT post HSCT, post-HSCT 202 2022 allcause all cause 4 632 63 2 63.2 years AllogeneicHSCT Allogeneic 51.2% 512 51 (51.2% autologousHSCT autologous 48.9% 489 48 9 (48.9% included 39 IQR (IQR 1211134, 1211134 1211 134 , 1211-134) 44.8% 448 44 8 (44.8% 1 transplantation pandemic nonvaccinated non vaccinated n=35 n35 n 35 (n=35 71.4%. 714 71.4% . 71 71.4%) 24.4% 244 24 (24.4% 40.8% 408 40 (40.8% disease 673 67 3 67.3 COVID19, 19, 53.0%. 530 53.0% 53 0 (53.0%) 102 10 10.2% Allcause All 514 51.4 142 14 14.2 vaccine analyses OR (OR 101.01 10101 101 01 95 CI 8205 205 8.20 1,242.93 124293 242 93 0.003 0003 003 50 ≥50 26.61 2661 26 61 106 06 1.0 664.26 66426 664 0.04 004 04 Thus measures COVID1 COVID- 20 6 63. 51.2 5 (51.2 48.9 (48.9 121113 121 13 1211-134 44.8 (44.8 n=3 n3 (n=3 71.4 7 24.4 (24.4 40.8 (40.8 67. 53.0 (53.0% 10.2 51. 14. 101.0 1010 820 8.2 1,242.9 12429 0.00 000 00 ≥5 26.6 266 1. 664.2 6642 66 0.0 (51. 48. (48. 12111 1211-13 44. (44. n= (n= 71. 24. (24. 40. (40. 53. (53.0 10. 101. 82 8. 1,242. 1242 ≥ 26. 664. 0. (51 (48 1211-1 (44 (n (24 (40 (53. 1,242 124 (5 (4 1211- (2 (53 1,24 ( 1,2 1,

Resumo Introdução: O câncer cervical está associado com a infecção persistente pelo HPV (human papiloma virus) de alto risco e causa cerca de 265 mil mortes todos os anos no mundo, tornando-se um importante problema de saúde pública. Objetivo: Descrever o perfil epidemiológico, história clínica e achados citológicos de 55 mulheres infectadas com HPV vivendo em áreas remotas no Amazonas, Brasil. Método: Obtiveram-se as amostras por autocoleta, utilizando-se a escova Rovers® Evalyn® para detecção do HPV por meio da técnica de PCR (polymerase chain reaction). Realizou-se o exame citológico por citologia em meio líquido. Resultados: A média de idade das participantes foi de 35 anos de idade (DP=14). A maioria das mulheres apresentou baixa ou nenhuma escolaridade (52,7%), vivia em uma relação estável com um parceiro (74,5) e tinha de três a cinco filhos (32,5%). Observou-se o uso inconsistente de preservativo pela maioria das participantes (“nunca 34,5% e “às vezes” 41,8%). O exame citopatológico mostrou que 14 mulheres (25,4%) tinham alterações citológicas: 7 Ascus (50,0%), 5 L-SIL (35,7%) e 2 H-SIL (14,3%). Conclusões: Uma vez que as lesões cervicais são causadas pela infecção persistente pelo HPV, é importante que programas de prevenção do CC usem alternativas eficazes para acompanhar mulheres HPV positivas vivendo em áreas remotas. Introdução human virus 26 mundo tornandose tornando se pública Objetivo epidemiológico Amazonas Brasil Método Obtiveramse Obtiveram autocoleta utilizandose utilizando Rovers Evalyn polymerase reaction. reaction . reaction) Realizouse Realizou líquido Resultados 3 DP=14. DP14 DP DP=14 (DP=14) 52,7%, 527 52,7% , 52 (52,7%) 74,5 745 74 (74,5 32,5%. 325 32,5% 32 (32,5%) Observouse Observou nunca 345 34 34,5 às vezes 41,8%. 418 41,8% 41 8 41,8%) 1 25,4% 254 25 4 (25,4% citológicas 50,0%, 500 50,0% 50 0 (50,0%) LSIL L SIL 35,7% 357 (35,7% HSIL H 14,3%. 143 14,3% (14,3%) Conclusões DP1 DP=1 (DP=14 52,7 (52,7% 74, (74, 32,5 (32,5% 34, 41,8 25,4 (25,4 50,0 (50,0% 35,7 (35,7 14,3 (14,3% DP= (DP=1 52, (52,7 (74 32, (32,5 41, 25, (25, 50, (50,0 35, (35, 14, (14,3 (DP= (52, (7 (32, (25 (50, (35 (14, (DP (52 ( (32 (2 (50 (3 (14 (5 (1

Abstract Background: Cervical cancer (CC) is associated with persistent high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and it causes about 265,000 deaths per year worldwide, thus becoming an important public health problem. Objective: This study aimed to describe the epidemiological profile, clinical history, and cytological findings of 55 women infected with HPV living in remote areas in Amazonas, Brazil. Method: The samples were obtained by self-collection using the Rovers® Evalyn® Brush for HPV detection through PCR. The cytological examination was performed by liquid-based cytology. Results: The mean age of participants was 35 years (SD=14). Most of the women presented low or no schooling (52.7%), lived in stable relationship with a partner (74.5%), and had three to five children (32.7%). Inconsistent use of condoms by most of the participants (“never” — 34.5% and “sometimes” — 41.8%) was observed. Cytopathological examinations showed that 14 (25.4%) women had cytological alterations: 7 atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (50.0%), 5 low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (35.7%), and 2 high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (14.3%). Conclusion: As cervical lesions have been caused by persistent HPV infection over the years, CC Prevention Programs use effective strategies to follow up on HPV-positive women living in remote areas. Background (CC highrisk high risk (HPV 265000 265 000 265,00 worldwide problem Objective profile history Amazonas Brazil Method selfcollection self collection Rovers Evalyn PCR liquidbased liquid based cytology Results 3 SD=14. SD14 SD SD=14 . (SD=14) 52.7%, 527 52.7% , 52 (52.7%) 74.5%, 745 74.5% 74 (74.5%) 32.7%. 327 32.7% 32 (32.7%) never (“never 345 34 34.5 sometimes “sometimes 41.8% 418 41 8 observed 1 25.4% 254 25 4 (25.4% alterations 50.0%, 500 50.0% 50 0 (50.0%) lowgrade grade 35.7%, 357 35.7% (35.7%) highgrade 14.3%. 143 14.3% (14.3%) Conclusion HPVpositive positive 26500 26 00 265,0 SD1 SD=1 (SD=14 52.7 (52.7% 74.5 (74.5% 32.7 (32.7% 34. 41.8 25.4 (25.4 50.0 (50.0% 35.7 (35.7% 14.3 (14.3% 2650 265, SD= (SD=1 52. (52.7 74. (74.5 32. (32.7 41. 25. (25. 50. (50.0 35. (35.7 14. (14.3 (SD= (52. (74. (32. (25 (50. (35. (14. (SD (52 (74 (32 (2 (50 (35 (14 (5 (7 (3 ( (1

ABSTRACT An immunocompromised patient was infected by the SARS-CoV-2 variant of interest named Zeta (P.2) in February 2021. More than one year later, he suffered from symptomatic COVID-19 and sequencing revealed the same variant, which accumulated 23 substitutions. This case illustrates intra-host evolution of a particular SARS-CoV-2 variant, highlighting the importance of genomic surveillance of immunocompromised patients. SARSCoV2 SARSCoV SARS CoV 2 SARS-CoV- P.2 P2 P (P.2 2021 later COVID19 COVID 19 COVID-1 substitutions intrahost intra host patients SARS-CoV P. (P. 202 COVID1 1 COVID- (P 20

ABSTRACT Malaria is an infectious vector-borne disease with other important routes of transmission, such as blood transfusion and organ/tissue transplantation, due to asymptomatic reservoirs of Plasmodium presenting with low parasitemia. Reports of transfusion-transmitted malaria have shown that in immunosuppressed recipients, infections can be fatal if they are not diagnosed and timely treated. All Plasmodium species can survive on blood components at temperatures from 2 to 6 °C for some days or even weeks. This report describes two candidates for blood donation harboring Plasmodium, infected in an area considered non-endemic. Blood samples were collected from donors who attended a blood bank in Sao Paulo and tested by microscopy, qPCR for Plasmodium genus-specific amplification, targeting the parasite 18S ribosomal subunit gene and a multiplex qPCR based on mtDNA of the five species. Under microscopy, only structures resembling Plasmodium were observed. The qPCR whose standard curve tested parasites varying from 2 to 0.1 parasites/ µL, showed the presence of Plasmodium DNA in the two blood donors, as did the multiplex qPCR that revealed the presence of P. malariae. The prevalence of positive donors varies according to the level of transmission, ranging from 0.7 to 55% in endemic areas. In non-endemic regions, prevalences are lower, however, transfusion malaria can evolve to severe cases, due to the lack of suspicion of this transmission route. Asymptomatic donors from low transmission regions pose a risk to blood banks, with particular emphasis on those located in areas with malaria elimination goals.

ABSTRACT Zika virus (ZIKV) clinical presentation and frequency/duration of shedding need further clarification. Symptomatic ZIKV-infected individuals identified in two hospitals in Sao Paulo State, Brazil, were investigated regarding clinical characteristics, shedding in body fluids, and serodynamics. Ninety-four of 235 symptomatic patients (Site A: 58%; Site B: 16%) had Real-Time PCR-confirmed ZIKV infection; fever, headache and gastrointestinal symptoms were less frequent, and rash was more frequent compared to ZIKV-negative patients. Real-Time PCR in serum had worse performance compared to plasma, while urine had the highest sensitivity. Shedding in genital fluids and saliva was rare. IgM positivity was the highest <14 days after the symptoms onset (86%), decreasing >28 days (24%); IgG positivity increased >14 days (96%) remaining positive in 94% of patients >28 days. ZIKV prevalence varied importantly in two neighboring cities during the same transmission season. Urine Real-Time PCR can improve diagnostic sensitivity; serum testing is less useful. Accurate serological tests are needed to improve diagnosis and surveillance.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Cervical cancer remains an important burden for HIV-infected women in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy. Recommendations for cervical screening in these women diverge and may include high-risk HPV (HRHPV) testing. We aimed to evaluate the clinical usefulness of a single HRHPV testing for cervical screening of HIV-infected women. Methods: 723 HIV-infected women from a Brazilian prospective cohort were included between 1996 and 2012. Inclusion criteria were: normal cervical cytology at baseline and having a HRHPV-test at baseline. We calculated incidence rates of any squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) and high grade SIL+ (HSIL+) and negative predictive values (NPV) within 12 and 36 months. Hazard Ratios were obtained using Cox proportional hazards regression models. Results: Incidence rate for both outcomes was low (9.9 cases per 100 PY [95% CI 8.8–11.0] for any SIL and 1.3 cases per 100 PY [95% IC 0.9–1.8] for HSIL+). Women with a HRHPV positive status at baseline had 1.7-fold (95% CI 1.3–2.2) and 3.2-fold (95% CI 1.5–7.1) increased risk of presenting any SIL and HSIL+, respectively, during follow-up. Negative-HRHPV test presented high NPV for both periods and outcomes (any SIL: 92.4% [95% CI 89.7–94.6] for 12 months and 80.9% [95% CI 77.2–84.3] for 36 months; and HSIL+: 99.8% [95% CI 98.9–100.0] for 12 months and 99.0 [95% CI 97.6–99.7] for 36 months). Conclusions: Incidence of any and high grade cytological abnormality was significantly higher among HIV-infected women with positive-HRHPV test. A single negative-HRHPV test helped reassure follow-up free of cytological abnormalities through three years of follow-up in HIV-infected women with negative cytology.

OBJECTIVES: Quantitative fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) is a rapid and reliable method for screening aneuploidies, but in Brazil, it is not used in public services. We investigated the accuracy of QF-PCR for the prenatal recognition of common aneuploidies and compared these results with cytogenetic results in our laboratory. METHOD: A ChromoQuant QF-PCR kit containing 24 primer pairs targeting loci on chromosomes 21, 13, 18, X and Y was employed to identify aneuploidies of the referred chromosomes. RESULTS: A total of 162 amniotic fluid samples analyzed using multiplex QF-PCR were compared with karyotyping analysis. The QF-PCR results were consistent with the results of cytogenetic analysis in 95.4% of all samples. CONCLUSION: QF-PCR was demonstrated to be efficient and reliable for prenatal aneuploidy screening. This study suggests that QF-PCR can be used as a rapid diagnostic method. However, rearrangements and some mosaic samples cannot be detected with this test; thus, those exceptions must undergo cytogenetic analysis.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Estimar a prevalência de infecção do colo do útero pelo HPV entre mulheres assistidas pela Estratégia Saúde da Família e identificar os fatores relacionados à infecção. MÉTODOS Trata-se de estudo transversal, no qual participaram 2.076 mulheres de 20 a 59 anos, residentes em Juiz de Fora, MG, convocadas para rastreamento organizado, realizado em unidades com a Estratégia Saúde da Família implantada. As participantes responderam ao questionário padronizado, realizando exame citológico cervical convencional e teste para HPV de alto risco oncogênico. Foram calculadas estimativas de prevalência de infecção pelo HPV segundo características selecionadas, referenciadas na literatura, relacionadas ao status socioeconômico, saúde reprodutiva e estilo de vida. RESULTADOS A prevalência global de infecção pelo HPV foi 12,6% (IC95% 11,16–14,05). A prevalência para o pooled primer contendo 12 tipos de HPV oncogênicos (31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 e 68) foi 8,6% (IC95% 7,3–9,77). Na análise multivariada, observou-se que as seguintes variáveis estavam significativamente associadas a uma maior prevalência de infecção por HPV: estado conjugal (solteira: RP ajustada = 1,40; IC95% 1,07–1,8), consumo de bebidas alcoólicas (qualquer frequência durante a vida: RP ajustada = 1,44; IC95% 1,11–1,86) e número de parceiros sexuais ao longo da vida (≥ 3: RP ajustada = 1,35; IC95% 1,04–1,74). CONCLUSÕES A prevalência de infecção pelo HPV na população estudada varia de média a particularmente alta entre as mulheres jovens. A prevalência de infecção por HPV16 e HPV18 se assemelha às mundiais. Uma distribuição homogênea entre os tipos do pooled primer precederia a infecção isolada pelo HPV18 em magnitude, podendo ser a diferença maior que a observada. A identificação da prevalência de HPV de alto risco oncogênico pode auxiliar na identificação de mulheres sob maior risco de evolução para lesão preneoplásica.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE Estimate the prevalence of cervical HPV infection among women assisted by the Family Health Strategy and identify the factors related to the infection. METHODS A cross-sectional study involving 2,076 women aged 20–59 years old residing in Juiz de Fora, State of Minas Gerais, who were asked to participate in an organized screening carried out in units were the Family Health Strategy had been implemented. Participants answered the standardized questionnaire and underwent a conventional cervical cytology test and HPV test for high oncogenic risk. Estimates of HPV infection prevalence were calculated according to selected characteristics referenced in the literature and related to socioeconomic status, reproductive health and lifestyle. RESULTS The overall prevalence of HPV infection was 12.6% (95%CI 11.16–14.05). The prevalence for the pooled primer contained 12 oncogenic HPV types (31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, and 68) was 8.6% (95%CI 7.3–9.77). In the multivariate analysis, it was observed that the following variables were significantly associated with a higher prevalence of HPV infection: marital status (single: adjusted PR = 1.40, 95%CI 1.07–1.8), alcohol consumption (any lifetime frequency: adjusted PR = 1.44, 95%CI 1.11–1.86) and number of lifetime sexual partners (≥ 3: adjusted PR = 1.35, 95%CI 1.04–1.74). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of HPV infection in the study population ranges from average to particularly high among young women. The prevalence of HPV16 and HPV18 infection is similar to the worldwide prevalence. Homogeneous distribution among the pooled primer types would precede the isolated infection by HPV18 in magnitude, which may be a difference greater than the one observed. The identification of high-risk oncogenic HPV prevalence may help identify women at higher risk of developing preneoplastic lesions.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Estimar a prevalência de infecção do colo do útero pelo HPV entre mulheres assistidas pela Estratégia Saúde da Família e identificar os fatores relacionados à infecção. MÉTODOS Trata-se de estudo transversal, no qual participaram 2.076 mulheres de 20 a 59 anos, residentes em Juiz de Fora, MG, convocadas para rastreamento organizado, realizado em unidades com a Estratégia Saúde da Família implantada. As participantes responderam ao questionário padronizado, realizando exame citológico cervical convencional e teste para HPV de alto risco oncogênico. Foram calculadas estimativas de prevalência de infecção pelo HPV segundo características selecionadas, referenciadas na literatura, relacionadas ao status socioeconômico, saúde reprodutiva e estilo de vida. RESULTADOS A prevalência global de infecção pelo HPV foi 12,6% (IC95% 11,16–14,05). A prevalência para o pooled primer contendo 12 tipos de HPV oncogênicos (31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 e 68) foi 8,6% (IC95% 7,3–9,77). Na análise multivariada, observou-se que as seguintes variáveis estavam significativamente associadas a uma maior prevalência de infecção por HPV: estado conjugal (solteira: RP ajustada = 1,40; IC95% 1,07–1,8), consumo de bebidas alcoólicas (qualquer frequência durante a vida: RP ajustada = 1,44; IC95% 1,11–1,86) e número de parceiros sexuais ao longo da vida (≥ 3: RP ajustada = 1,35; IC95% 1,04–1,74). CONCLUSÕES A prevalência de infecção pelo HPV na população estudada varia de média a particularmente alta entre as mulheres jovens. A prevalência de infecção por HPV16 e HPV18 se assemelha às mundiais. Uma distribuição homogênea entre os tipos do pooled primer precederia a infecção isolada pelo HPV18 em magnitude, podendo ser a diferença maior que a observada. A identificação da prevalência de HPV de alto risco oncogênico pode auxiliar na identificação de mulheres sob maior risco de evolução para lesão preneoplásica.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE Estimate the prevalence of cervical HPV infection among women assisted by the Family Health Strategy and identify the factors related to the infection. METHODS A cross-sectional study involving 2,076 women aged 20–59 years old residing in Juiz de Fora, State of Minas Gerais, who were asked to participate in an organized screening carried out in units were the Family Health Strategy had been implemented. Participants answered the standardized questionnaire and underwent a conventional cervical cytology test and HPV test for high oncogenic risk. Estimates of HPV infection prevalence were calculated according to selected characteristics referenced in the literature and related to socioeconomic status, reproductive health and lifestyle. RESULTS The overall prevalence of HPV infection was 12.6% (95%CI 11.16–14.05). The prevalence for the pooled primer contained 12 oncogenic HPV types (31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, and 68) was 8.6% (95%CI 7.3–9.77). In the multivariate analysis, it was observed that the following variables were significantly associated with a higher prevalence of HPV infection: marital status (single: adjusted PR = 1.40, 95%CI 1.07–1.8), alcohol consumption (any lifetime frequency: adjusted PR = 1.44, 95%CI 1.11–1.86) and number of lifetime sexual partners (≥ 3: adjusted PR = 1.35, 95%CI 1.04–1.74). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of HPV infection in the study population ranges from average to particularly high among young women. The prevalence of HPV16 and HPV18 infection is similar to the worldwide prevalence. Homogeneous distribution among the pooled primer types would precede the isolated infection by HPV18 in magnitude, which may be a difference greater than the one observed. The identification of high-risk oncogenic HPV prevalence may help identify women at higher risk of developing preneoplastic lesions.

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to investigate Flavivirus infection in birds captured in green areas of São Paulo. METHODS: Oropharyngeal swabs, cloacal swabs, and blood samples from 170 birds captured in two green areas in São Paulo, Brazil were subjected to real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis of Flavivirus specific NS5 gene fragment. RESULTS: All samples were negative for the presence of viral ribonucleic acid (RNA). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the negative results, Flavivirus surveillance must be performed regularly due to favorable ecological conditions for virus circulation and transmission among birds in these areas and their close proximity to humans.

This study aimed to standardise an in-house real-time polymerase chain reaction (rtPCR) to allow quantification of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in serum or plasma samples, and to compare this method with two commercial assays, the Cobas Amplicor HBV monitor and the Cobas AmpliPrep/Cobas TaqMan HBV test. Samples from 397 patients from the state of São Paulo were analysed by all three methods. Fifty-two samples were from patients who were human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus positive, but HBV negative. Genotypes were characterised, and the viral load was measure in each sample. The in-house rtPCR showed an excellent success rate compared with commercial tests; inter-assay and intra-assay coefficients correlated with commercial tests (r = 0.96 and r = 0.913, p < 0.001) and the in-house test showed no genotype-dependent differences in detection and quantification rates. The in-house assay tested in this study could be used for screening and quantifying HBV DNA in order to monitor patients during therapy.

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: It is recognized that hepatitis C virus subtypes (1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 2c and 3a) originated in Africa and Asia and spread worldwide exponentially during the Second World War (1940) through the transfusion of contaminated blood products, invasive medical and dental procedures, and intravenous drug use. The entry of hepatitis C virus subtypes into different regions occurred at distinct times, presenting exponential growth rates of larger or smaller spread. Our study estimated the growth and spread of the most prevalent subtypes currently circulating in São Paulo.METHODS:A total of 465 non-structural region 5B sequences of hepatitis C virus covering a 14-year time-span were used to reconstruct the population history and estimate the population dynamics and Time to Most Recent Common Ancestor of genotypes using the Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo approach implemented in BEAST (Bayesian evolutionary analysis by sampling tree software/program).RESULTS:Evolutionary analysis demonstrated that the different hepatitis C virus subtypes had distinct growth patterns. The introduction of hepatitis C virus-1a and -3a were estimated to be circa 1979 and 1967, respectively, whereas hepatitis C virus-1b appears to have a more ancient entry, circa 1923. Hepatitis C virus-1b phylogenies suggest that different lineages circulate in São Paulo, and four well-supported groups (i.e., G1, G2, G3 and G4) were identified. Hepatitis C virus-1a presented the highest growth rate (r = 0.4), but its spread became less marked after the 2000s. Hepatitis C virus-3a grew exponentially until the 1990s and had an intermediate growth rate (r = 0.32). An evident exponential growth (r = 0.26) was found for hepatitis C virus-1b between 1980 and the mid-1990s.CONCLUSIONS:After an initial period of exponential growth, the expansion of the three main subtypes began to decrease. Hepatitis C virus-1b presented inflated genetic diversity, and its transmission may have been sustained by different generations and transmission routes other than blood transfusion. Hepatitis C virus-1a and -3a showed no group stratification, most likely due to their recent entry.