HIV epidemic in a province of the Brazilian Amazon region: Temporal trend analysis

Background: Although considerable progress has been made over the last decades, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) incidence and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) mortality rates have remarkably increased in the Brazilian Amazon region. Here, we employed temporal analysis to determine the impact of public policies on the HIV epidemic in the state of Pará, Brazil, which has the second highest HIV incidence rate in the Amazon region.Design and Methods: This is an ecological study conducted in the state of Pará, employing secondary data of HIV/AIDS cases notified to the Information System for Notifiable Diseases, 2007–2018. The following epidemiological variables were collected: year of notification, municipality of residence, age, sex, education, exposure category, and HIV/AIDS diagnostic criteria. The study population was composed of 21,504 HIV/AIDS cases. The HIV/AIDS incidence rates were analyzed employing the temporal trend analysis (TTA) followed by the chi-square test and residue analysis to determine the association between the epidemiological variables and time series periods.Results: A total of 50% of the notifications were composed of AIDS cases. TTA identified two periods in HIV/AIDS incidence, with stabilization of cases in the first period (G1, 2007–2012) and an upward trend in the second period (G2, 2012–2018). The most prevalent epidemiological characteristics in G2 (versus G1) were as follows: young people, brown skin color, higher schooling, and homosexuals.Conclusion: Public policy to control HIV infection in the Brazilian Amazon region has been partially effective. HIV screening tests and treatment should be made widely available to eradicate HIV infection in the Amazon region by 2030.

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Culicoides castelloni sp. nov. from the Brazilian Amazon Region with a revision of the reticulatus species group (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae)

Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências ◽

10.1590/0001-3765201520140517 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 87 (2) ◽

pp. 955-972 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Maria Clara A. Santarém ◽

Emanuelle S. Farias ◽

Maria Luiza Felippe-Bauer

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

New Records ◽

Brazilian Amazon ◽

Species Group ◽

Amazon Region ◽

The State ◽

Brazilian Amazon Region ◽

A New Species

A new species of the reticulatus species group, C. castelloni Santarém and Felippe-Bauer, is described and illustrated based on female specimens from the state of Amazonas, Brazil. A systematic key, wing photographs and table with numerical characters of females and a synopsis of 24 species of the Culicoides reticulatus group are presented. This paper presents further new records for seven species of the reticulatus group.

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Prevalence of antibodies to equine alphaviruses in the State of Pará, Brazil

Arquivos do Instituto Biológico ◽

10.1590/1808-1657000202014 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 83 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Alexandre do Rosário Casseb ◽

Thais Costa Brito ◽

Maria Rogéria Menezes da Silva ◽

Jannifer Oliveira Chiang ◽

Lívia Caricio Martins ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hemagglutination Inhibition ◽

Brazilian Amazon ◽

Amazon Region ◽

The State ◽

Farm Animals ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Eastern Equine Encephalitis ◽

Brazilian Amazon Region ◽

Mayaro Virus ◽

Western Equine Encephalitis

ABSTRACT: The State of Pará comprises 26% of Brazilian Amazon region, where a large diversity of arboviruses has been described. This study sought to assess the prevalence and distribution of hemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibodies against antigens of four alphaviruses (Togaviridae: Alphavirus ) from the species: Eastern equine encephalitis (EEEV), Western equine encephalitis (WEEV), Mayaro virus (MAYV), and Mucambo virus (MUCV) in 753 serum samples of horses in Pará State, Brazil. All investigated arboviruses were detected and indicate that horses are susceptible to these alphaviruses, and show evidences of their active circulation in farm animals in the Brazilian Amazon.

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First report of Amblyomma latepunctatum and the second record of Ixodes luciae in the state of Acre, Brazil

Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária ◽

10.1590/s1984-29612021063 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 30 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Simone Delgado Tojal ◽

Dionatas Ulises de Oliveira Meneguetti ◽

Thiago Fernandes Martins ◽

Marcelo Bahia Labruna ◽

André de Abreu Rangel Aguirre ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Visual Search ◽

Morphological Characteristics ◽

Brazilian Amazon ◽

Amazon Region ◽

The State ◽

Ixodid Ticks ◽

First Report ◽

Forested Area ◽

Brazilian Amazon Region ◽

State Capital

Abstract The state of Acre is in the western part of the Brazilian Amazon region and few studies involving ticks are available. The aim of the present study was to provide the first report of occurrence of Amblyomma latepunctatum and the second record of Ixodes luciae in Acre. Ticks were collected in October 2020 inside an open forested area in the municipality of Rio Branco, the state capital of Acre. Ixodid ticks were identified according to their external morphological characteristics. Three specimens were found on the vegetation by means of a visual search and were identified as Amblyomma scalpturatum (one male and one female) and Amblyomma latepunctatum (one male). Another specimen was found parasitizing a Didelphis marsupialis female that was caught using a Tomahawk trap; this was identified as Ixodes luciae (one male). This first report of A. latepunctatum in the state of Acre increases the number of species recorded here to 22. In addition, presence of I. luciae is confirmed in this state (second record), in the western Brazilian Amazon region.

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Evaluation of Histidine-Rich Proteins 2 and 3 Gene Deletions in Plasmodium falciparum in Endemic Areas of the Brazilian Amazon

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18010123 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 123

Author(s):

Leandro Góes ◽

Nathália Chamma-Siqueira ◽

José Mário Peres ◽

José Maria Nascimento ◽

Suiane Valle ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plasmodium Falciparum ◽

Gene Deletion ◽

Brazilian Amazon ◽

Amazon Region ◽

The State ◽

Molecular Surveillance ◽

Gene Deletions ◽

Exon 2 ◽

Brazilian Amazon Region ◽

Endemic Areas

Histidine-rich proteins 2 and 3 gene (pfhrp2 and pfhrp3) deletions affect the efficacy of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) based on the histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP2), compromising the correct identification of the Plasmodium falciparum species. Therefore, molecular surveillance is necessary for the investigation of the actual prevalence of this phenomenon and the extent of the disappearance of these genes in these areas and other South American countries, thus guiding national malaria control programs on the appropriate use of RDTs. This study aimed to evaluate the pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 gene deletion in P. falciparum in endemic areas of the Brazilian Amazon. Aliquots of DNA from the biorepository of the Laboratory of Basic Research in Malaria, Evandro Chagas Institute, with a positive diagnosis for P. falciparum infection as determined by microscopy and molecular assays, were included. Monoinfection was confirmed by nested-polymerase chain reaction assay, and DNA quality was assessed by amplification of the merozoite surface protein-2 gene (msp2). The pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genes were amplified using primers for the region between exons 1 and 2 and for all extension of exon 2. Aliquots of DNA from 192 P. falciparum isolates were included in the study, with 68.7% (132/192) from the municipality of Cruzeiro do Sul (Acre) and 31.3% (60/192) from Manaus (Amazonas). Of this total, 82.8% (159/192) of the samples were considered of good quality. In the state of Acre, 71.7% (71/99) showed pfhrp2 gene deletion and 94.9% (94/99) showed pfhrp3 gene deletion, while in the state of Amazonas, 100.0% (60/60) of the samples showed pfhrp2 gene deletion and 98.3% (59/60) showed pfhrp3 gene deletion. Moreover, 79.8% (127/159) of isolates displayed gene deletion. Our findings confirm the presence of a parasite population with high frequencies of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 gene deletions in the Brazilian Amazon region. This suggests reconsidering the use of HRP2-based RDTs in the Acre and Amazonas states and calls attention to the importance of molecular surveillance and mapping of pfhrp2/pfhrp3 deletions in this area and in other locations in the Amazon region to guarantee appropriate patient care, control and ultimately contribute to achieving P. falciparum malaria elimination.

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First report of Davaneidae and Strongylida parasitizing Ramphocelus carbo (Aves: Passeriformes: Thraupidae) in the southwest of the Brazilian Amazon region

Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária ◽

10.1590/s1984-29612019105 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Leandro Siqueira de Souza ◽

Edson Guilherme ◽

Saba Gul ◽

Angela Maria Fortes de Andrade ◽

Francisco Glauco de Araújo Santos

Keyword(s):

Brazilian Amazon ◽

Amazon Region ◽

The State ◽

Wild Birds ◽

Ecological Niches ◽

Parasite Transmission ◽

Fecal Samples ◽

Parasitic Fauna ◽

Brazilian Amazon Region ◽

First Time

Abstract In Brazil, species of the genus Ramphocelus with the presence of various endoparasites have already been reported. Coccidia have been the parasites most frequently found. All species of this genus have similar habitats and ecological niches, which makes parasite transmission easy. The aim of this study was to diagnose the presence of endoparasites in fecal samples from specimens of Ramphocelus carbo that were caught in the Cazumbá-Iracema Extractive Reserve (Cazumbá Resex), in the State of Acre. The specimens (n = 30) were caught in mist nets arranged in different ecosystems of the Reserve. After identification, the bird specimens were placed in cloth bags for a maximum of 30 minutes to collect feces. Among the 22 samples collected, 63.63% (n = 14) were positive for endoparasites. The coccidia were the parasites most frequently. Helminths belonging to Ascaridiidae (Nematoda), Strongylida (Nematoda) and Davaneidae (Cestoda) were recorded for the first time in R. carbo in the State of Acre. Parasites belonging to Strongylida and Davaneidae were recorded for the first time in a species of Ramphocelus. These findings add information on the parasitic fauna of wild birds, since in the Amazon region there are few studies on this subject.

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Epidemiology of Saint Louis encephalitis virus in the Brazilian Amazon region and in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil: elevated prevalence of antibodies in horses

Revista Pan-Amazônica de Saúde ◽

10.5123/s2176-62232010000100012 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Sueli Guerreiro Rodrigues ◽

Otávio Pinheiro Oliva ◽

Francisco Anilton Alves Araujo ◽

Lívia Carício Martins ◽

Janiffer Oliveira Chiang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Brazilian Amazon ◽

Amazon Region ◽

The State ◽

Encephalitis Virus ◽

Mato Grosso ◽

Saint Louis ◽

Brazilian Amazon Region ◽

Saint Louis Encephalitis ◽

Mato Grosso Do Sul

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Surgical Site Infection Following Caesarean Section by Acinetobacter Species: A Report from a Hyperendemic Setting in the Brazilian Amazon Region

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms9040743 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 743

Author(s):

Blenda Gonçalves Cabral ◽

Danielle Murici Brasiliense ◽

Ismari Perini Furlaneto ◽

Yan Corrêa Rodrigues ◽

Karla Valéria Batista Lima

Keyword(s):

Caesarean Section ◽

Surgical Site Infection ◽

Carbapenem Resistance ◽

Brazilian Amazon ◽

Amazon Region ◽

Site Infection ◽

Acinetobacter Species ◽

Brazilian Amazon Region ◽

Acinetobacter Spp ◽

The Impact

Surgical site infection (SSI) following caesarean section is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and significant health care costs. This study evaluated the epidemiological, clinical, and microbiological features of Acinetobacter spp. in women with SSIs who have undergone caesarean section at a referral hospital in the Brazilian Amazon region. This study included 69 women with post-caesarean SSI by Acinetobacter spp. admitted to the hospital between January 2012 and May 2015. The 69 Acinetobacter isolates were subjected to molecular species identification, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, detection of carbapenemase-encoding genes, and genotyping. The main complications of post-caesarean SSI by Acinetobacter were inadequate and prolonged antibiotic therapy, sepsis, prolonged hospitalization, and re-suture procedures. A. baumannii, A. nosocomialis and A. colistiniresistens species were identified among the isolates. Carbapenem resistance was associated with OXA-23-producing A. baumannii isolates and IMP-1-producing A. nosocomialis isolate. Patients with multidrug-resistant A. baumannii infection showed worse clinical courses. Dissemination of persistent epidemic clones was observed, and the main clonal complexes (CC) for A. baumannii were CC231 and CC236 (Oxford scheme) and CC1 and CC15 (Pasteur scheme). This is the first report of a long-term Acinetobacter spp. outbreak in women who underwent caesarean section at a Brazilian hospital. This study demonstrates the impact of multidrug resistance on the clinical course of post-caesarean infections.

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Inadequate management of natural ecosystem in the Brazilian Amazon region results in the emergence and reemergence of arboviruses

Cadernos de Saúde Pública ◽

10.1590/s0102-311x2001000700025 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 17 (suppl) ◽

pp. S155-S164 ◽

Cited By ~ 81

Author(s):

Pedro F. C. Vasconcelos ◽

Amélia P. A. Travassos da Rosa ◽

Sueli G. Rodrigues ◽

Elizabeth S. Travassos da Rosa ◽

Nicolas Dégallier ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Environmental Changes ◽

Epidemiological Data ◽

Brazilian Amazon ◽

Host Population ◽

Amazon Region ◽

Laboratory Animals ◽

Natural Ecosystem ◽

Brazilian Amazon Region ◽

Mining Dam ◽

The Impact

A total of 187 different species of arboviruses and other viruses in vertebrates were identified at the Evandro Chagas Institute (IEC) from 1954 to 1998, among more than 10,000 arbovirus strains isolated from humans, hematophagous insects, and wild and sentinel vertebrates. Despite intensive studies in the Brazilian Amazon region, especially in Pará State, very little is known about most of these viruses, except for information on date, time, source, and method of isolation, as well as their capacity to infect laboratory animals. This paper reviews ecological and epidemiological data and analyzes the impact of vector and host population changes on various viruses as a result of profound changes in the natural environment. Deforestation, mining, dam and highway construction, human colonization, and urbanization were the main manmade environmental changes associated with the emergence and/or reemergence of relevant arboviruses, including some known pathogens for humans.

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