Percorrer por autor "Alves, M.J."
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- Clinical presentaion and laboratory findings for the first autochthonous cases of Dengue fever in Madeira island, Portugal, October 2012Publication . Alves, M.J.; Fernandes, P.L.; Amaro, F.; Osório, H.; Luz, T.; Parreira, P.; Andrade, G.; Zé-Zé, Líbia; Zeller, H.
- Co-circulation of a novel phlebovirus and Massilia virus in sandflies, PortugalPublication . Amaro, Fátima; Zé-Zé, Líbia; Alves, M.J.; Börstler, J.; Clos, J.; Lorenzen, S.; Becker, S. C.; Schmidt-Chanasit, J.; Cadar, D.Background: In Portugal, entomological surveys to detect phleboviruses in their natural vectors have not been performed so far. Thus, the aims of the present study were to detect, isolate and characterize phleboviruses in sandfly populations of Portugal. Findings: From May to October 2007–2008, 896 female sandflies were trapped in Arrábida region, located on the southwest coast of Portugal. Phlebovirus RNA was detected by using a pan-phlebovirus RT-PCR in 4 out of 34 Phlebotomus perniciosus pools. Direct sequencing of the amplicons showed that 2 samples exhibited 72 % nucleotide identity with Arbia virus, and two showed 96 % nucleotide identity with Massilia virus. The Arbia-like virus (named Alcube virus) was isolated in cell culture and complete genomic sequences of one Alcube and two Massila viruses were determined using next-generation sequencing technology. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that Alcube virus clustered with members of the Salehabad virus species complex. Within this clade, Alcube virus forms a monophyletic lineage with the Arbia, Salehabad and Adana viruses sharing a common ancestor. Arbia virus has been identified as the most closely related virus with 20-28 % nucleotide and 10-27 % amino acid divergences depending on the analysed segment. Conclusions: We have provided genetic evidence for the circulation of a novel phlebovirus species named Alcube virus in Ph. perniciosus and co-circulation of Massilia virus, in Arrábida region, southwest of Portugal. Further epidemiological investigations and surveillance for sandfly-borne phleboviruses in Portugal are needed to elucidate their medical importance.
- Combined detection of molecular and serological signatures of viral infections: The dual assay conceptPublication . Albuquerque, D. C.; Martins, V. C.; Fernandes, E.; Zé-Zé, L.; Alves, M.J.; Cardoso, S.The recent worldwide spread of viral infections has highlighted the need for accurate, fast, and inexpensive disease diagnosis and monitorization methods. Current diagnostics tend to focus either on molecular or serological testing. In this work we propose a dual detection assay approach for viral diseases, where both serological and molecular assays are combined in a single analysis performed on a magnetoresistive system. This type of assay guarantees an accurate assessment of the infection phase, saving time and costs associated with multiple independent tests. Zika and dengue viruses were used as model diseases for the validation of the system. Human IgG anti-zika and anti-dengue antibodies were successfully detected in infected patients' serum, using a novel approach combining competitive and sandwich strategies in a magnetoresistive portable platform. Specificity and sensitivity values of 100% were obtained. Calibration curves with dynamic ranges between 10 ng/mL and 1 μg/mL were established achieving LODs of 1.26 and 1.38 nM for IgG anti-ZIKV and anti-DENV antibodies, respectively. Viral RNA detection down to a few hundreds of pM was also successfully carried out after the design of specific oligo probes and primers for RT-PCR amplification. Dual assays were performed for both viruses, where viral RNA and anti-virus antibodies in serum samples were simultaneously detected. The results obtained for the detection of the molecular and serological targets in the dual assay format show no significant difference between the ones obtained individually, proving the feasibility and accuracy of the dual detection assay. This assay format represents a new paradigm in viral infections diagnostics.
- Congenital SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a Neonate With Severe Acute Respiratory SyndromePublication . Correia, C.R.; Marçal, M.; Vieira, F.; Santos, E.; Novais, C.; Maria, A.T.; Malveiro, D.; Prior, A.R.; Aguiar, M.; Salazar, A.; Pinto, C.G.; Rodrigues, L.C.; Pessanha, M.A.; Borges, V.; Isidro, J.; Gomes, J.P.; Duarte, S.; Vieira, L.; Costa, I.; Alves, M.J.; Calhau, C.; Guiomar, R.; Tuna, M.L.Coronavirus disease, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is mainly transmitted through droplets, but other ways of transmission have been hypothesized. We report a case of vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in a preterm born to an infected mother, confirmed by the presence of the virus in the neonatal blood, nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs collected in the first half an hour of life. The neonate presented with acute respiratory distress, similar to the findings in severely affected adults. This case highlights the importance of pregnancy, labor and neonatal period surveillance of affected mothers and their newborns.
- Dengue outbreak in Madeira Island (Portugal). Blood safety measures.Publication . Escoval, M.A.; Sousa, G.; Freitas, B.; Sousa, A.P.; Alves, M.J.; Núncio, M.S.; Mansinho, K.; Carmona, R.
- Dengue virus serotype 3 and Chikungunya virus co-infection in a traveller returning from India to Portugal, November 2016Publication . Paulo, C.A.; Zé-Zé, L.; Jordão, S.; Pena, E.R.; Neves, I.; Alves, M.J.We report a case of a laboratory-confirmed Dengue and Chikungunya viruses co-infection imported from India to Portugal in early November 2016. The patient developed fever, retro-orbital pain and generalized myalgia after returning from Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Rishikesh, Goa and Mumbai. This case highlights the importance of these arboviruses to public health in India where high rates of co-infection have been reported in the last few years, and demonstrates how challenging the laboratory diagnosis of imported co-infection cases can be in non-endemic areas.
- Detection of mosquito-only flaviviruses in EuropePublication . Calzolari, M.; Zé-Zé, Líbia; Ruzek, D.; Vazquez, A.; Jeffries, C.; Defilippo, F.; Osório, Hugo Costa; Kilian, P.; Ruíz, S.; Fooks, A.R.; Maioli, G.; Amaro, Fátima; Tlusty, M.; Figuerola, J.; Medlock, J.M.; Bonilauri, P.; Alves, M.J.; Sebesta, O,; Tenorio, A.; Vaux, A.G.; Bellini, R.; Gelbic, I.; Sánchez-Seco, M.P.; Johnson, N.; Dottori, M.The genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae, includes a number of important arthropod-transmitted human pathogens such as dengue viruses, West Nile virus, Japanese encephalitis virus and yellow fever virus. In addition, the genus includes flaviviruses without a known vertebrate reservoir, which have been detected only in insects, particularly in mosquitoes, such as cell fusing agent virus, Kamiti River virus, Culex flavivirus, Aedes flavivirus, Quang Binh virus, Nakiwogo virus and Calbertado virus. Reports of the detection of these viruses with no recognized pathogenic role in humans are increasing in mosquitoes collected around the world, particularly in those sampled in entomological surveys targeting pathogenic flaviviruses. The presence of six potential flaviviruses, detected from independent European arbovirus surveys undertaken in the Czech Republic, Italy,Portugal, Spain and the UK between 2007 and 2010, is reported in this work. Whilst the Aedes flaviviruses, detected in Italy from Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, had already been isolated in Japan, the remaining five viruses have not been reported previously: one was detected in Italy, Portugal and Spain from Aedes mosquitoes (particularly from Aedes caspius), one in Portugal and Spain from Culex theileri mosquitoes, one in the Czech Republic and Italy from Aedes vexans, one in the Czech Republic from Aedes vexans and the last in the UK from Aedes cinereus. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the close relationship of these putative viruses to other insect-only flaviviruses.
- Detection of the Invasive Mosquito Species Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in PortugalPublication . Osório, H.C.; Zé-Zé, L.; Neto, M.; Silva, S.; Marques, F.; Silva, A.S.; Alves, M.J.The Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus is an invasive mosquito originating from the Asia-Pacific region. This species is of major concern to public and veterinary health because of its vector role in the transmission of several pathogens, such as chikungunya, dengue, and Zika viruses. In Portugal, a National Vector Surveillance Network (REde de VIgilância de VEctores—REVIVE) is responsible for the surveillance of autochthonous, but also invasive, mosquito species at points of entry, such as airports, ports, storage areas, and specific border regions with Spain. At these locations, networks of mosquito traps are set and maintained under surveillance throughout the year. In September 2017, Ae. albopictus was detected for the first time in a tyre company located in the North of Portugal. Molecular typing was performed, and a preliminary phylogenetic analysis indicated a high similarity with sequences of Ae. albopictus collected in Europe. A prompt surveillance response was locally implemented to determine its dispersal and abundance, and adult mosquitoes were screened for the presence of arboviral RNA. A total of 103 specimens, 52 immatures and 51 adults, were collected. No pathogenic viruses were detected. Despite the obtained results suggest low abundance of the population locally introduced, the risk of dispersal and potential establishment of Ae. albopictus in Portugal has raised concern for autochthonous mosquito-borne disease outbreaks.
- Diagnostic Assays for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic feverPublication . Vanhomwegen, J.; Alves, M.J.; Zupanc, T.A.; Bino, S.; Chinikar, S.; Karlberg, H.; Korukluoglu, G.; Korva, M.; Mardani, M.; Mirazimi, A.; Mousavi, M.; Papa, A.; Saksida, A.; Sharifi-Mood, B.; Sidira, P.; Tsergouli, K.; Wolfel, R.; Zeller, H.; Dubois, P.Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a highly contagious viral tick-borne disease with case-fatality rates as high as 50%. We describe a collaborative evaluation of the characteristics, performance, and on-site applicability of serologic and molecular assays for diagnosis of CCHF. We evaluated ELISA, immunofluorescence, quantitative reverse transcription PCR, and low-density macroarray assays for detection of CCHF virus using precharacterized archived patient serum samples. Compared with results of local, in-house methods, test sensitivities were 87.8%-93.9% for IgM serology, 80.4%-86.1% for IgG serology, and 79.6%-83.3% for genome detection. Specificity was excellent for all assays; molecular test results were influenced by patient country of origin. Our findings demonstrate that well-characterized, reliable tools are available for CCHF diagnosis and surveillance. The on-site use of such assays by health laboratories would greatly diminish the time, costs, and risks posed by the handling, packaging, and shipping of highly infectious biologic material.
- Diagnóstico de vírus Chikungunya, Dengue e Zika, no laboratório nacional de referência, INSAPublication . Zé-Zé, L.; Alves, M.J.