A new coronavirus [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)] is currently causing a life-threatening pandemic. In this study, we report the complete genome sequencing and genetic characterisation of a SARS-CoV-2 detected in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, and the protocol we designed to generate high-quality SARS-CoV-2 full genome data. The isolate was obtained from an asymptomatic carrier returning from Madrid, Spain. Nucleotide sequence analysis showed a total of nine mutations in comparison with the original human case in Wuhan, China, and support this case as belonging to the recently proposed lineage A.2. Phylogeographic analysis further confirmed the likely European origin of this case. To our knowledge, this is the first SARS-CoV-2 genome obtained from the North Brazilian Region. We believe that the information generated in this study may contribute to the ongoing efforts toward the SARS-CoV-2 emergence.

Abstract INTRODUCTION Leptospirosis is caused by a bacterium of the genus Leptospira. This study aimed at investigating the seroprevalence of and risk factors for leptospirosis in humans in Manaus, State of Amazonas. METHODS Interviews were performed, and 1,000 blood serum samples were examined using a microscopic agglutination test. RESULTS Forty-three cases were positive; there were 10 serotypes, with coagglutination in 8 cases. The most frequently occurring serotypes were Icterohaemorrhagiae (20.7%), Cynopteri (20.7%), Australis (18.8%), and Copenhageni (16.9%), and the Midwest (54.7%) and South (23.8%) had the most cases; these areas lack basic sanitation. CONCLUSIONS Disease occurrence might be reduced through improved basic infrastructural conditions.

INTRODUÇÃO: A leptospirose é uma doença infecciosa causada por microrganismos do gênero Leptospira, que acomete várias espécies de animais, inclusive o homem. O estudo descreveu os casos confirmados de leptospirose no município de Manaus, no período de 2000 a 2010. MÉTODOS: Estudo descritivo baseado na análise de dados secundários da Secretaria Municipal de Saúde (SEMSA), Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN) e Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade (SIM) das variáveis: faixa etária, sexo, aspectos clínicos e área geográfica e letalidade. RESULTADOS: Foram notificados 665 casos de leptospirose, 339 foram confirmados e 35 (10,3%) evoluíram para óbito. O maior número de casos ocorreu nos meses de maio (16,8 %), março (13,3 %) e abril (11,4 %), período de intensas chuvas. As zonas da cidade de maior ocorrência da doença foram a sul (26,6%), oeste (23,5%) e leste (19,7%), áreas de maior precariedade socioambiental. O maior número de casos, inclusive com óbitos, ocorreu na faixa etária de 14 a 44,9 anos (74%), sendo que 291 (85,8%) pertenciam ao sexo masculino e 48 (14,1%) ao feminino. Os sintomas mais frequentes foram: febre, mialgia, cefaleia e icterícia. Em relação às condições sociais, identificou-se baixa escolaridade, moradia precária, falta de saneamento e baixa renda. CONCLUSÕES: Em Manaus, apesar da implantação do Programa Social e Ambiental dos Igarapés de Manaus (PROSAMIM) ainda existem áreas que necessitam de uma urbanização adequada e melhorias nas condições socioambientais, diminuindo o nível de exposição dos indivíduos que residem nestes locais.

INTRODUCTION: Leptospirosis is an infectious disease caused by microorganisms of the genus Leptospira that affects several species of animals, including the human beings. The study described the confirmed cases of leptospirosis in Manaus, from 2000 to 2010. METHODS: A descriptive study based on secondary data analysis of Secretaria Municipal de Saúde (SEMSA), Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação SINAN and Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade (SIM) analyzing the variables: age group, gender, clinical aspects and geographic area and lethality. RESULTS: Were reported 665 cases of leptospirosis, 339 were confirmed and 35 (10.3%) died. The largest number of cases occurred in May (16.8%), March (13.3%) and April (11.4%), a period of intense rainfall. The city areas with the greatest occurrence of the disease were South (26.6%), West (23.5%) and East (19.7%), areas of the greatest precariousness socio-environment. The largest number of cases, including deaths, occurred in the age group from 14 to 44.9 years (74%), being that 291 (85.8%) were male and 48 (14.1%) females. The most frequent symptoms were fever, myalgia, headache and jaundice. In relation to the social conditions were identified low education, poor housing, absence of sanitation and low income. CONCLUSIONS: In Manaus, despite the implementation of the Social and Environmental Program of Igarapés of Manaus (PROSAMIM), there are still areas that need a proper urbanization and improvements in socio-environmental conditions, reducing the level of exposure of the human beings that living in these locations.

O mecanismo de resistência bacteriana ao mercúrio mais comum é baseada na redução do Hg(II) a Hg0, através da atividade da enzima mercúrio redutase (MerA). O uso do fragmento de 431 pb amplificado de uma região conservada do gene merA, que codifica a enzima MerA,foi utilizado como marcador molecular deste mecanismo, permitindo a identificação de bactérias resistentes ao mercúrio.

The most common bacterial mercury resistance mechanism is based on the reduction of Hg(II) to Hg0, which is dependent of the mercuric reductase enzyme (MerA) activity. The use of a 431 bp fragment of a conservative region of the mercuric reductase (merA) gene was applied as a molecular marker of this mechanism, allowing the identification of mercury resistant bacterial strains.