Resumo Objetivo: Realizar uma análise descritiva dos gastos privados diretos domiciliares em saúde e da vulnerabilidade socioeconômica associados à condição de microcefalia, uma das manifestações mais evidentes da síndrome congênita do Zika vírus (SCZ). O surto de microcefalia e outros distúrbios neurológicos em crianças menores de um ano de idade foi associado à infecção pelo vírus Zika, durante a epidemia ocorrida no período de 2015-2016 no Brasil. Método: Noventa e seis entrevistas foram realizadas em dois centros especializados de atendimento às crianças acometidas por microcefalia nas cidades do Rio de Janeiro e Fortaleza. O questionário estruturado abrangeu características sociodemográficas, gastos com desembolso direto associados com a doença e estratégias adotadas pelas famílias para lidarem com os desafios financeiros impostos pela anomalia congênita. Resultados: Os domicílios eram majoritariamente chefiados por não-brancos e pertenciam às classes C e D-E. Os gastos com medicamentos contabilizaram 78% dos gastos médicos, enquanto as despesas com transporte representaram 46% do gasto privado não-médico. A maioria dos domicílios enfrentaram endividamento e redução do consumo doméstico, inclusive de alimentos, a fim de fazer face às despesas incorridas pela doença. Conclusão: A microcefalia parece reforçar a vulnerabilidade socioeconômica das famílias, reforçando o círculo vicioso característico da abordagem conceitual da armadilha saúde-pobreza. Objetivo SCZ. SCZ . (SCZ) 20152016 2015 2016 2015-201 Brasil Método Fortaleza sociodemográficas Resultados nãobrancos não brancos DE. DE D E. E D-E 78 médicos 46 nãomédico. nãomédico médico. médico não-médico doméstico alimentos Conclusão saúdepobreza. saúdepobreza pobreza. pobreza saúde-pobreza (SCZ 2015201 201 2015-20 7 4 201520 20 2015-2 20152 2 2015-

Abstract Objective: To carry out a descriptive analysis of direct private household health expenditures and socioeconomic vulnerability associated with the condition of Microcephaly, one of the most evidence manifestations of Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS). The outbreak of microcephaly and other neurological disorders in children under one year of age was linked to Zika virus infection during the 2015-2016 epidemic in Brazil. Method: Ninety-six interviews were carried out in two specialized care centers for children with microcephaly in the cities of Rio de Janeiro and Fortaleza, Brazil. The structured questionnaire covered sociodemographic characteristics, out-of-pocket expenditures associated with the disease, and strategies adopted by families to deal with the financial challenges imposed by the congenital anomaly. Results: The households were mostly headed by non-whites and belonged to classes C and D-E. Expenditures on medicines accounted for 78% of medical expenses, while transportation represented 46% of private non-medical expenses. Most households faced debt and reduced domestic consumption, including food, to meet the expenses incurred by the disease. Conclusion: Microcephaly appears to reinforce the socioeconomic vulnerability of families, reinforcing the vicious circle characteristic of the health-poverty trap conceptual approach. Objective CZS. CZS . (CZS) 20152016 2015 2016 2015-201 Brazil Method Ninetysix Ninety six Fortaleza characteristics outofpocket pocket disease anomaly Results nonwhites non whites DE. DE D E. E D-E 78 46 nonmedical consumption food Conclusion healthpoverty poverty approach (CZS 2015201 201 2015-20 7 4 201520 20 2015-2 20152 2 2015-

ABSTRACT Innate immune cells are important players during an infection. The frequency of monocytes, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), natural killer (NK), and NKT cells were assessed in blood samples of children and adolescents living with HIV (CALHIV) and HIV-uninfected (HU) children. Blood samples from 10 CALHIV (treated or not) and six HU individuals were collected for approximately one year. Flow cytometry was employed to phenotypically characterize cell populations. We found a lower frequency of classical monocytes in CALHIV patients compared to the HU group (35.75% vs. 62.60%, respectively) but a higher frequency of CD56−CD16+ NK cells in CALHIV patients compared to the HU group (1.45% vs. 0.44%, respectively). At baseline, the frequency of monocytic-MDSCs inversely correlated with CD56dimCD16+ NK cells (r= −0.73, p=0.020), CD56−CD16+ NK cells (r= −0.78, p=0.010), and with intermediate monocytes (r= −0.71, p=0.027) in the CALHIV group. We also found a negative correlation between CD56++CD16+− and CD56dimCD16+ NK cells with CD4 T cells frequency at baseline. The results suggest an alteration in the innate compartment of the CALHIV cohort, which may contribute to their susceptibility to infections. infection myeloidderived myeloid derived MDSCs, MDSCs , (MDSCs) NK, (NK) (CALHIV HIVuninfected uninfected (HU 1 treated not year populations 35.75% 3575 35 75 (35.75 vs 6260 62 60 62.60% respectively CD56CD16 CDCD CD56 CD16 CD CD56−CD16 1.45% 145 45 (1.45 044 0 44 0.44% respectively. . baseline monocyticMDSCs monocytic CD56dimCD16 CDdimCD dimCD r= r (r 073 73 −0.73 p=0.020, p0020 p p=0.020 020 p=0.020) 078 78 −0.78 p=0.010, p0010 p=0.010 010 p=0.010) 071 71 −0.71 p=0.027 p0027 027 CD56++CD16+ cohort infections (MDSCs (NK 35.75 357 3 7 (35.7 626 6 62.60 CD56CD1 CD5 CD1 CD56−CD1 1.45 14 4 (1.4 04 0.44 CD56dimCD1 07 −0.7 p002 p=0.02 02 p001 p=0.01 01 CD56++CD16 35.7 (35. 62.6 CD56CD CD56−CD 1.4 (1. 0.4 CD56dimCD −0. p00 p=0.0 CD56++CD1 35. (35 62. 1. (1 0. −0 p0 p=0. CD56++CD (3 ( − p=0 p=

ABSTRACT Objective: In order to study the scenario of respiratory infections in pediatrics after the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in Brazil, this study aimed to compare characteristics of children admitted for SARS or upper airway infection caused by either RSV or SARS-CoV-2. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving children up to 48 months of age admitted to a tertiary pediatric hospital with a diagnosis of SARS or upper airway infection between April of 2020 and April of 2021. Respiratory secretion samples were collected 2-5 days after hospitalization, and antigen/PCR tests for viral etiologies were performed. In this analysis, patients with laboratorial diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 and/or RSV were selected, and their clinical and epidemiological characteristics were compared using logistic regression. Results: Our sample initially comprised 369 participants. SARS-CoV-2 and RSV infections were confirmed in 55 (15%) and 59 children (16%), respectively. Mean age was 12 months (0-48 months), and 47 were female. The following characteristics were significantly more frequent in patients with RSV when compared with those with COVID-19: younger age (OR = 0.94; 95% CI: 0.90-0.98); lower frequency of fever (OR = 0.18; 95% CI: 0.05-0.66); and more frequent upper airway symptoms: cough (OR = 7.36; 95% CI: 1.04-52.25); and tachypnea (OR = 6.06; 95% CI: 1.31-28.0). Conclusions: Children with RSV-related SARS were younger, had lower frequency of fever at admission, but had a higher frequency of signs of upper airway infection and lower systemic inflammation when compared with children hospitalized for COVID-19 during the first year of the pandemic. Objective SARSCoV2 SARSCoV CoV 2 SARS-CoV- Brazil SARSCoV2. 2. Methods crosssectional cross sectional 4 202 2021 25 5 2- hospitalization antigenPCR antigen PCR performed analysis andor selected regression Results 36 participants 15% 15 (15% 16%, 16 16% , (16%) respectively 1 048 0 (0-4 months, months) female COVID19 COVID 19 OR 0.94 094 94 95 CI 0.900.98 090098 0.90 0.98 90 98 0.90-0.98) 0.18 018 18 0.050.66 005066 0.05 0.66 05 66 0.05-0.66) symptoms 7.36 736 7 1.0452.25 1045225 1.04 52.25 04 52 1.04-52.25) 6.06 606 6 06 1.3128.0. 131280 1.31 28.0 . 31 28 1.31-28.0) Conclusions RSVrelated related admission COVID-1 pandemic SARS-CoV 20 3 (15 (16% (0- COVID1 0.9 09 9 900 0.900.9 09009 090 098 0.90-0.98 0.1 01 050 0.050.6 00506 005 0.0 066 0.6 0.05-0.66 7.3 73 0452 1.0452.2 104522 104 1.0 5225 52.2 1.04-52.25 6.0 60 3128 1.3128.0 13128 131 1.3 280 28. 1.31-28.0 COVID- (1 (16 (0 0. 0.900. 0900 0.90-0.9 0.050. 0050 00 0.05-0.6 7. 045 1.0452. 10452 10 1. 522 52. 1.04-52.2 6. 312 1.3128. 1312 13 1.31-28. ( 0.900 0.90-0. 0.050 0.05-0. 1.0452 1045 1.04-52. 1.3128 1.31-28 0.90-0 0.05-0 1.045 1.04-52 1.312 1.31-2 0.90- 0.05- 1.04-5 1.31- 1.04-

A síndrome congênita da Zika (SCZ) é responsável por várias malformações, inclusive microcefalia. Os objetivos deste estudo foram: descrever o acesso das crianças às políticas públicas sociais de pensão vitalícia (E60), criada frente à emergência de saúde pública do Zika vírus (Espin-ZIKV), e ao Benefício de Prestação Continuada/Espécie 87 (BPC/E87), e comparar esse acesso antes e depois da Espin-ZIKV. Estudo transversal, com extração e descrição de dados do Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos (SINASC), Registro de Eventos em Saúde Pública-Microcefalia (Resp-Microcefalia) e Sistema Único de Informação de Benefícios (SUIBE), entre 2013 e 2021. Descrevemos as E60 que ainda estavam ativas quando da extração de dados do SUIBE em maio de 2023. Comparamos a concessão do BPC/E87 por microcefalia em 2013 e 2021 (antes e depois da Espin-ZIKV). Dos 20.000.859 nascidos vivos entre 2015-2021, foram notificados 20.464 casos suspeitos de SCZ no Resp-Microcefalia; 20% dos pacientes acometidos receberam algum benefício social: 705 a E60 e 3.822 o BPC/E87. A média nacional de concessão de BPC/E87 em 2013 por microcefalia foi de 8 para cada 100 mil nascidos vivos (antes da Espin-ZIKV) e 5 BPC/E87 para cada 100 mil nascidos vivos em 2021 (após Espin-ZIKV) (p < 0,01). Observamos 689 crianças com E60 ativas (entre 3 e 8 anos de idade) em maio de 2023. O estudo evidenciou baixa proteção social das crianças com suspeita de SCZ, mas, dentre as que se beneficiaram da E60, 98% estavam com benefício ativo em 2023, demonstrando sobrevida importante das crianças beneficiadas. Foi observada redução na média de concessões de BPC/E87 para microcefalia sem causa especificada após Espin-ZIKV.

El síndrome congénito del Zika (SCZ) es responsable de varias malformaciones, incluida la microcefalia. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron: describir el acceso de los niños a las políticas públicas sociales -pensión vitalicia (E60) creada en respuesta a la emergencia de salud pública provocada por el virus del Zika (Espin-ZIKV) o Beneficio de Prestación Continuada/Especie 87 (BPC/E87)- y comparar este acceso antes y después de Espin-ZIKV. Estudio transversal, con extracción y descripción de datos del Sistema de Informaciones sobre Nacidos Vivos (SINASC), Registro de Eventos en Salud Pública-Microcefalia (Resp-Microcefalia) y Sistema Único de Información de Beneficios (SUIBE), entre el 2013 y el 2021. Describimos las E60 que todavía estaban activos cuando se extrajeron los datos de SUIBE en mayo del 2023. Comparamos la concesión del BPC/E87 por microcefalia en el 2013 y el 2021 (antes y después de Espin-ZIKV). De los 20.000.859 nacidos vivos entre 2015-2021, se notificaron 20.464 casos sospechosos de SCZ en Resp-Microcefalia; el 20% de los pacientes afectados recibió algún beneficio social: 705 la E60 y 3.822 recibieron BPC/E87. El promedio nacional de otorgamiento de BPC/E87 en el 2013 para microcefalia fue de ocho por cada 100.000 nacidos vivos (antes de Espin-ZIKV) y de 5 BPC/E87 por cada 100.000 nacidos vivos en el 2021 (después de Espin-ZIKV) (p < 0,01). Observamos 689 niños con E60 activas (entre 3 y 8 años) en mayo del 2023. El estudio puso de manifiesto una baja protección social para los niños con sospecha de SCZ, pero, de los que se beneficiaron de la E60, el 98% tenía beneficios activos en el 2023, lo que demuestra una importante sobrevida de los niños beneficiados. Se observó una reducción en el promedio de subvenciones de BPC/E87 para microcefalia sin causa especificada, tras Espin-ZIKV.

Congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) is responsible for several malformations, including microcephaly. This study aimed to describe children’s access to social public policies: lifetime benefit (E60) created in the face of the Zika virus public health emergency (Espin-ZIKV) or Continuous Cash Benefit/Type 87 (BPC/E87). Thus, this study compares the children’s access before and after Espin-ZIKV. This was a cross-sectional study, with data extraction and description from the Brazilian Information System on Live Births (SINASC), the Registry of Public Health Events-Microcephaly (Resp-Microcephaly), and the Unified System for Benefits Information (SUIBE), from 2013 to 2021. We describe the E60 that were still active at the time of SUIBE data extraction in May, 2023. We compared the granting of BPC/E87 for microcephaly in 2013 and 2021 (before and after Espin-ZIKV). Of the 20,000,859 live births from 2015-2021, 20,464 suspected cases of CZS were reported in Resp-Microcephaly; 20% of affected patients received some social benefit: 705 received E60 and 3,822 received BPC/E87. The national average of BPC/E87 granted in 2013 for microcephaly was eight for every 100,000 live births (before Espin-ZIKV), while in 2021 it was five BPC/E87 for every 100,000 live births (after Espin-ZIKV) (p < 0.01). We observed 689 children with active E60 (from 3 to 8 years of age), in May, 2023. The study showed low social protection for children with suspected CZS. However, of those who benefited from the E60, 98% had active benefits in 2023, demonstrating the important survival of the benefited children. A reduction in the mean number of BPC/E87 grants for microcephaly without specified cause was observed after Espin-ZIKV.

Resumo Objetivo: Realizar uma análise descritiva dos gastos privados diretos domiciliares em saúde e da vulnerabilidade socioeconômica associados à condição de microcefalia, uma das manifestações mais evidentes da síndrome congênita do Zika vírus (SCZ). O surto de microcefalia e outros distúrbios neurológicos em crianças menores de um ano de idade foi associado à infecção pelo vírus Zika, durante a epidemia ocorrida no período de 2015-2016 no Brasil. Método: Noventa e seis entrevistas foram realizadas em dois centros especializados de atendimento às crianças acometidas por microcefalia nas cidades do Rio de Janeiro e Fortaleza. O questionário estruturado abrangeu características sociodemográficas, gastos com desembolso direto associados com a doença e estratégias adotadas pelas famílias para lidarem com os desafios financeiros impostos pela anomalia congênita. Resultados: Os domicílios eram majoritariamente chefiados por não-brancos e pertenciam às classes C e D-E. Os gastos com medicamentos contabilizaram 78% dos gastos médicos, enquanto as despesas com transporte representaram 46% do gasto privado não-médico. A maioria dos domicílios enfrentaram endividamento e redução do consumo doméstico, inclusive de alimentos, a fim de fazer face às despesas incorridas pela doença. Conclusão: A microcefalia parece reforçar a vulnerabilidade socioeconômica das famílias, reforçando o círculo vicioso característico da abordagem conceitual da armadilha saúde-pobreza.

Abstract Objective: To carry out a descriptive analysis of direct private household health expenditures and socioeconomic vulnerability associated with the condition of Microcephaly, one of the most evidence manifestations of Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS). The outbreak of microcephaly and other neurological disorders in children under one year of age was linked to Zika virus infection during the 2015-2016 epidemic in Brazil. Method: Ninety-six interviews were carried out in two specialized care centers for children with microcephaly in the cities of Rio de Janeiro and Fortaleza, Brazil. The structured questionnaire covered sociodemographic characteristics, out-of-pocket expenditures associated with the disease, and strategies adopted by families to deal with the financial challenges imposed by the congenital anomaly. Results: The households were mostly headed by non-whites and belonged to classes C and D-E. Expenditures on medicines accounted for 78% of medical expenses, while transportation represented 46% of private non-medical expenses. Most households faced debt and reduced domestic consumption, including food, to meet the expenses incurred by the disease. Conclusion: Microcephaly appears to reinforce the socioeconomic vulnerability of families, reinforcing the vicious circle characteristic of the health-poverty trap conceptual approach.

ABSTRACT Immune exhaustion and senescence are scarcely studied in HIV-pediatric patients. We studied the circulatory CD8 T cells activation/exhaustion and senescent phenotype of children and adolescents vertically infected with HIV or uninfected controls based on the expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA-DR), CD38, T cell immunoglobulin and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM) domain (TIGIT), programmed death 1 (PD-1) and CD57 by flow cytometry, during approximately one year. Eleven HIV-infected (HI) and nine HIV-uninfected (HU) children/adolescents who received two doses or one dose of meningococcal C conjugate vaccine (MenC), respectively, were involved in this study. Blood samples were collected before the immunization (T0), 1–2 months after the first dose (T1), and 1–2 months after the second dose (T2), which was administered approximately one year after the first one. HI patients not receiving combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) showed a higher frequency of CD8 T cells TIGIT+, PD-1+ or CD57+, as well as a higher frequency of CD8 T cells co-expressing CD38/HLA-DR/TIGIT or CD38/HLA-DR/PD-1 when compared to HI treated or HU individuals, at all times that they were assessed. CD8 T cells co-expressing CD38/DR/TIGIT were inversely correlated with the CD4/CD8 ratio but positively associated with viral load. The co-expression of CD38/DR/TIGIT or CD38/DR/PD-1 on CD8 T cells was also inversely associated with the CD4 T cells expressing co-stimulatory molecules CD127/CD28. The results showed a higher expression of exhaustion/senescence markers on CD8 T cells of untreated HI children/adolescents and its correlations with viral load. HIVpediatric pediatric CD activationexhaustion activation HLADR, HLADR HLA DR , (HLA-DR) CD38 tyrosinebased tyrosine ITIM (ITIM TIGIT, TIGIT (TIGIT) PD1 PD (PD-1 CD5 cytometry HIVinfected (HI HIVuninfected (HU childrenadolescents MenC, MenC (MenC) respectively study T0, T0 (T0) 12 2 1– T1, T1 (T1) T2, T2 (T2) cART (cART TIGIT+ PD1+ 1+ PD-1 CD57+ coexpressing co CD38/HLADR/TIGIT CD38HLADRTIGIT CDHLADRTIGIT CD38/HLA DR/TIGIT CD38/HLADR/PD1 CD38HLADRPD1 CDHLADRPD DR/PD CD38/HLA-DR/PD- individuals assessed CD38DRTIGIT CDDRTIGIT CD4CD8 CDCD CD4/CD load coexpression CD38/DR/PD1 CD38DRPD1 CDDRPD CD38/DR/PD CD38/DR/PD- costimulatory stimulatory CD127CD28 CD127 CD28 CD127/CD28 exhaustionsenescence (HLA-DR CD3 (TIGIT (PD- (MenC (T0 (T1 (T2 PD- HLADRTIGIT CD38HLA CDHLA DRTIGIT CD38/HLADR/PD HLADRPD CD38HLADRPD DRPD CD38/HLA-DR/PD CD4CD CD38DRPD CD127CD2 CD12 CD2 CD127/CD2 (PD (T CD127CD CD1 CD127/CD

RESUMO Objetivo: O presente estudo teve como objetivo descrever as formas clínicas e o tempo de diagnóstico de novos casos de tuberculose e analisar estatisticamente as formas isoladas e combinadas da doença em crianças e adolescentes atendidos em um hospital universitário do Rio de Janeiro durante o primeiro ano da pandemia de COVID-19 no Brasil. Métodos: Este estudo transversal utilizou dados retrospectivos de crianças (0-9 anos) e adolescentes (10-18 anos) com tuberculose pulmonar (TBP), extrapulmonar (TBEP) e combinada (TBP + TBEP) acompanhados no ambulatório de janeiro de 2019 a março de 2021. Os dados categóricos foram analisados por estatística descritiva e expressos em frequência e proporções. As variáveis categóricas foram comparadas pelo teste Qui-quadrado e as variáveis numéricas pelo teste T de Student. Resultados: Foram incluídos 51 casos, sendo 63% (32/51) pacientes no ano da pandemia (grupo A) e 37% (19/51) pacientes atendidos em anos anteriores (grupo B). No grupo A, 19% (6/32) dos pacientes apresentavam TBP, 59% (16/32) TBEP e 31% (10/32) TBP+TBEP. No grupo B, 42% (8/19) dos pacientes apresentavam TBP, 42% (8/19) TBEP e 16% (3/19) TBP+TBEP. Conclusão: Nosso estudo evidenciou mais casos de tuberculose no primeiro ano da pandemia do que no mesmo período do ano anterior, com maior variação de locais acometidos pela doença, incluindo formas mais raras e mais graves.

ABSTRACT Objective: The present study aimed to describe the clinical forms and the time taken to diagnose new tuberculosis cases and to statistically analyze the isolated and combined forms of the disease in children and adolescents treated at a university hospital in Rio de Janeiro during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that used retrospective data on children (0-9 years old) and adolescents (10-18 years old) with pulmonary (PTB), extrapulmonary (EPTB), and combined tuberculosis (PTB + EPTB) followed up at the outpatient clinic from January 2019 to March 2021. Categorical data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and expressed as frequency and proportions. Categorical variables were compared using the Chi-square test, and numerical variables using Student’s T-test. Results: A total of 51 cases were included, 63% (32/51) of which comprised patients in the year of the pandemic (group A), while 37% (19/51) were patients attended in previous years (group B). In group A, 19% (6/32) of the patients presented PTB, 59% (16/32) had EPTB, and 31% (10/32) had PTB+EPTB. In group B, 42% (8/19) of the patients presented PTB, 42% (8/19) had EPTB, and 16% (3/19) had PTB+EPTB. Conclusion: Our study revealed more tuberculosis cases in the first year of the pandemic than in the same period of the previous year, with greater variation of sites affected by the disease, including rarer and more severe forms.

ABSTRACT Background: Perinatally HIV-infected children are surviving into adulthood, and getting pregnant. There is a scarcity of information on health and pregnancy outcomes in these women. Aim: To evaluate characteristics related to HIV disease and pregnancy outcomes in perinatally infected women, and to compare these women with a group of youth with behaviorally acquired HIV-infection, at a reference hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Methods: A cohort study. Epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory data were compared between perinatally (PHIV) and behaviorally HIV-infected (BHIV) pregnant youth with the primary aim to study pregnancy outcomes in the PHIV group and compare with outcomes to BHIV group. Results: Thirty-two pregnancies occurred in PHIV group, and 595 in BHIV group. A total of seven (22%) PHIV women and 64 (11%) BHIV women had a premature delivery (p = 0.04), however, when adjusting for younger age at pregnancy, and antiretroviral therapy initiation in 1st trimester of pregnancy (OR = 18.66, 95%CI = 5.52–63.14), the difference was no longer significant. No cases of mother-to-child HIV transmission (MTCT) were observed in the PHIV group while there was a 2% MTCT rate in BHIV group. Conclusion: Pregnancy among PHIV was as safe as among BHIV. The differences between those groups were probably related to treatment and prolonged care in the first group.

ABSTRACT The herein presented assay provided a bacteriological and molecular characterization of 100 samples of L. monocytogenes isolated from human (43) and food (57) sources, from several regions of Brazil, and collected between 1975 and 2013. Antigenic characterization defined 49% of serotype 4b samples, followed by 28% of serotype 1/2b, 14% of serotype 1/2c, 8% of serotype 1/2a, and 1% of serotype 3b. Both type of samples from human and food origin express the same serotype distribution. Multiplex PCR analysis showed 13 strains of type 4b with the amplification profile 4b-VI (Variant I). Virulence genes hly, inlA, inlB, inlC, inlJ, actA, plcA, and prfA were detected in all samples, highlighting a deletion of 105pb on the actA gene in 23% of serotype 4b samples. Macrorestriction profile with ApaI at PFGE showed 55 pulsotypes, with the occurrence of the same pulsotype in hospitalized patients in São Paulo in 1992 and 1997, and two other highly related pulsotypes in patients hospitalized in Rio de Janeiro in 2008. Recognized pulsotypes in listeriosis cases have also been detected in food. Thus, the prevalence of a serotype and the persistence of certain pulsotypes herald future problems.

Background: Neonatal infection is a serious public health problem. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of the antenatal care on the risk of early-onset neonatal healthcare associated infection in two Brazilian maternities.Methods: Cohort study - Newborns admitted at two public neonatal intensive care units from 2008 to 2009 were included in the study. Data on antenatal and perinatal variables were collected from maternal prenatal cards and medical charts. Newborns were actively surveyed for early-onset neonatal healthcare associated infection, defined as a neonatal infection diagnosed within 48 h after birth. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess variables independently associated with early-onset neonatal healthcare associated infection.Results: 561 neonate-mother pairs were included in the study. Early-onset neonatal health-care associated infection was diagnosed in 283 neonates (51%), an incidence rate of 43.5/1000 live births. Neonates whose mothers had less then six antenatal visits were under risk significantly higher for early-onset neonatal healthcare associated infection (OR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.11-2.57), after adjusting for birth weight, membranes ruptured for >18 h, maternal complications during delivery, maternal infection at admission, and hospital where patients received care.Conclusions: The risk of neonatal early-onset neonatal healthcare associated infection was significantly associated with insufficient number of antenatal care visits. Further studies assessing the quality of antenatal care and targeting its improvement are warranted.

A análise fenotípica de 255 amostras do gênero Listeria isoladas de material clínico humano, tanto de indivíduos doentes (220-86,3%), como de aparentemente normais (35-13,7%) de várias regiões do país e colecionadas no período de 1969 a 2000, permitiu caracterizar a distribuição de sorovares de Listeria monocytogenes. Nas faixas etárias de 0 a 10 e de 41 a 60 anos, predominaram os isolamentos de líquido cefalorraquidiano sobre os de sangue, incluindo dos transplantados renais. Somente dos hemocultivos foi possível detectar os sete sorovares de Listeria monocytogenes. No cômputo geral, o sorovar 4b foi o mais incidente (154-60,3%) secundado por ¹/2 a (74-29%) nos três decênios considerados, além de ocorrerem em quase todas as regiões do país. Os dados deste estudo evidenciaram a circulação de L. monocytogenes na espécie humana, provocando quadros graves de meningite e septicemia, bem como, revelando a figura do portador assintomático, razão pela qual são recomendadas novas investigações bacteriológicas, subsidiadas por análises clínico-patológicas e epidemiológicas.

Using phenotype techniques, characterization was realized of species and serovars of 255 strains of Listeria isolated from human material: 220-86.3% were from patients with possible invasive disease, while 35-13.7% were from colonized healthy individuals. The strains were collected in several regions of Brazil from 1969-2000. In individuals aged 0-10 or 41-60 years old Listeria monocytogenes was isolated more often in cerebral spinal fluid than in blood cultures, including samples from renal transplant recipients. All Listeria monocytogenes serovars were detected in blood culture strains. The predominant serovars characterized were 4b (154-60.3%) and ¹/2 a (74-29%). In this study, Listeria monocytogenes causing invasive diseases, such as meningitis or septicemia, or colonizing individuals, were identified. Consequently further studies focusing on clinical and pathological as well as epidemiological issues, including risk factors associated with foodborne transmission should be pursued.

No período de abril a dezembro de 1985, foram observados cinco casos de listeriose em transplantados renais num mesmo hospital de São Paulo, SP. Os pacientes eram adultos (média de 40,6 anos) tendo como queixa básica a febre. Laboratorialmente, em todos foram reconhecidos Listeria monocytogenes, caracterizada por dois sorovares 1/2a e 4b e três lisotipos distintos. As amostras do sorovar 4b apresentaram o mesmo antibiotipo: resistentes à cefoxitina, clindamicina, oxacilina e penicilina.

Five cases of Listeria monocytogenes bacteriemia were observed from April to December 1985, among renal transplant recipients from the same hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. The patients were adults (mean age: 40.6 years), and the basic complain was fever, with no report of meningeal syndrome. Laboratory tests revealed the presence of two serovars, 1/2a and 4b, which were classified into three lysotypes. The four strains of serovar 4b showed the same antibiotype, with resistance to cefoxitin, clindamycin, oxacillin and penicillin.