Browsing by Author "Amaro, Fátima"
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- 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.
- Co-Circulation of Leishmania Parasites and Phleboviruses in a Population of Sand Flies Collected in the South of PortugalPublication . Amaro, Fátima; Vilares, Anabela; Martins, Susana; Reis, Tânia; Osório, Hugo Costa; Alves, Maria João; Gargaté, Maria JoãoIn the Old World, phlebotomine sand flies from the genus Phlebotomus are implicated in the transmission of Leishmania spp. parasites (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) and viruses belonging to the genus Phlebovirus (Bunyavirales: Phenuiviridae). Two of the five sand fly species known to occur in Portugal, Phlebotomus perniciosus and Ph. ariasi, the former being the most ubiquitous, are recognized vectors of Leishmania infantum, which causes visceral leishmaniasis, the most prevalent form of leishmaniasis in the country. Phlebotomus perniciosus is also the vector of the neurotropic Toscana virus, which can cause aseptic meningitis. Entomological surveillance is essential to provide fundamental data about the presence of vectors and the pathogens they can carry. As such, and given the lack of data in Portugal, an entomological survey took place in the Algarve, the southernmost region of the country, from May to October 2018. Polymerase chain reaction assays were performed in order to detect the presence of the above-mentioned pathogens in sand fly pools. Not only were both Leishmania parasites and phleboviruses detected during this study, but more importantly, it was the first time their co-circulation was verified in the same sand fly population collected in Portugal.
- 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.
- Diagnóstico laboratorial de dengue no Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge: casos autóctones na MadeiraPublication . Alves, M.J.; Amaro, Fátima; Osório, Hugo; Luz, Teresa; Parreira, Paulo; Zé-Zé, Líbia
- Distribution of the West Nile Virus vector, Culex pipiens, in mainland Portugal: A geospatial modelling studyPublication . Martinho, Júlia; Costa Osório, Hugo; Amaro, Fátima; Silva, Manuel; Marques Zé-Zé, Líbia Maria; Pereira Figueira Alves, Maria João; Nunes, Baltazar; Soares, PatriciaBackground: Culex pipiens, Portugal’s most abundant mosquito, is a vector for several pathogens including the West Nile virus. Understanding its spatial distribution can contribute to vector-borne diseases control and public health planning, given Portugal’s favourable climate. National-level data on its spatial distribution, especially in relation to climatic variables is limited. We aimed to predict the suitability of Culex pipiens distribution in mainland Portugal, considering climatic factors. Methods: A maximum entropy (Maxent) model was applied, using presence records for adult and larvae of Culex pipiens mosquitoes sampled across mainland Portugal between January 2017 and October 2023, as part of the REVIVE – Vector Surveillance Network program. Adults were sampled using CDC light traps and BG-Sentinel traps between May and October at random sites and year-round at point-of-entry sites. Larvae were sampled using dippers at breeding sites. Sampling bias was corrected by filtering presence records to one per 1 km2 cell grid. Climatic data, including temperature, precipitation and elevation, were used as predictors. Results: Out of 6,859 records, 354 unique sites were obtained after filtering and cell-duplicate removal. Suitable habitats seem to be primarily in the northern and central coastal regions. Temperature was the most important predictor. Convenience sampling bias may be present. Conclusions: Most West Nile virus case reports have come from southern Portugal, but Culex pipiens’s potential distribution covers the entire mainland territory, with seemingly higher distribution in the north. West Nile vector surveillance should be a priority in all regions to accurately assess transmission risk and implement effective control measures.
- Electron-microscopy characterization of cells infected with a new phlebovirus isolated in sandflies from south PortugalPublication . Amaro, Fátima; Zé-Zé, Líbia; Alves, M.J.; Alves de Matos, A.P.Phlebovirus genus is comprised by arthropod-borne viruses and is one of the five genera that compose Bunyaviridae family [1]. Viruses within this family mature intracellularly and their RNA replicates in the cytoplasm, while the viral proteins transit through the Endoplasmic Reticulum and Golgi apparatus [2]. Serological studies in human Portuguese populations have proven that Toscana virus, a neurotropic phlebovirus, is present in Portugal but there were no data about phleboviral activity in arthropod vectors [3]. In this context, and in order to detect sandflies naturally infected by phleboviruses, an entomological surveillance was conducted in Arrabida region, in the south of Portugal.
- Fatal Case of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, Portugal, 2024Publication . Zé-Zé, Líbia; Nunes, Cristina; Sousa, Micaela; De Sousa, Rita; Gomes, Carla; Santos, Ana Sofia; Alexandre, Rui T.; Amaro, Fátima; Loza, Tiago; Blanco, Miriam; Alves, MJ; Tiago Loza, Miriam Blanco, Maria J AlvesWe report a fatal case of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Portugal. An 83-year-old man, initially suspected of having Mediterranean spotted fever, was later confirmed to have Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever by the detection of viral genome in the patient's serum and the presence of specific IgM antibodies.
- A importância da monitorização da Rede de Vigilância de Vetores REVIVE: de novos mosquitos e velhas carraças a novas ameaças em saúde pública (2011-2020)Publication . Alves, Maria João; Santos, Ana Sofia; Osório, Hugo; Sousa, Rita de; Zé-Zé, Líbia; Lopes de Carvalho, Isabel; Amaro, Fátima; Silva, Manuel; Núncio, Maria Sofia; Equipa REVIVEO programa REVIVE (Rede de Vigilância de Vetores) resulta de colaboração entre a Direção-Geral da Saúde, as Administrações Regionais de Saúde do Algarve, Alentejo, Centro, Lisboa e Vale do Tejo e Norte, a Direção Regional da Saúde da Madeira, a Direção Regional da Saúde dos Açores e o Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge. No âmbito do REVIVE é realizada a vigilância entomológica de mosquitos (Culicidae), carraças (Ixodidae) e flebótomos (Psychodidae) a nível nacional. O ano de 2020 representou o 13.º ano do programa REVIVE (2008-2020). Nesta publicação apresentam-se, de uma forma resumida, os resultados da vigilância de mosquitos e carraças realizada em 2020, e no período 2011- -2019, em todas as regiões do país, dando ênfase aos principais riscos em saúde pública em Portugal. Relativamente aos mosquitos destaca-se a presença dos mosquitos exóticos/invasores Aedes aegypti na Madeira e Aedes albopictus no norte e sul do continente e o risco da ocorrência de casos autóctones de dengue, Zika e chikungunya transmitidos por estes vetores. Na vigilância de ixodídeos, salienta-se o risco de casos de febre escaro-nodular e borreliose de Lyme e, a cada vez mais provável, ocorrência de casos de febre hemorrágica Crimeia Congo transmitida por carraças e descrita nos últimos anos em Espanha junto da fronteira com Portugal.
- Insect-specific flaviviruses, a worldwide widespread group of viruses only detected in insectsPublication . Calzolari, M.; Zé-Zé, Líbia; Vásquez, A.; Seco, M.P.S.; Amaro, Fátima; Dottori, M.Several flaviviruses are important pathogens for humans and animals (Dengue viruses, Japanese encephalitis virus, Yellow-fever virus, Tick-borne encephalitis virus, West Nile virus). In recent years, numerous novel and related flaviviruses without known pathogenic capacity have been isolated worldwide in the natural mosquito population. However, phylogenetic studies have shown that genomic sequences of these viruses diverge from other flaviviruses. Moreover, these viruses seem to be exclusive of insects (they do not seem to grow on vertebrate cell lines), and were already defined as mosquito-only flaviviruses or insect-specific flaviviruses. At least eleven of these viruses were isolated worldwide, and sequences ascribable to other eleven putative viruses were detected in several mosquito species. A large part of the cycle of these viruses is not well known, and their persistence in the environment is poorly understood. These viruses are detected in a wide variety of distinct mosquito species and also in sandflies and chironomids worldwide; a single virus, or the genetic material ascribable to a virus, was detected in several mosquito species in different countries, often in different continents. Furthermore, some of these viruses are carried by invasive mosquitoes, and do not seem to have a depressive action on their fitness. The global distribution and the continuous detection of new viruses in this group point out the likely underestimation of their number, and raise interesting issues about their possible interactions with the pathogenic flaviviruses, and their influence on the bionomics of arthropod hosts. Some enigmatic features, as their integration in the mosquito genome, the recognition of their genetic material in DNA forms in field-collected mosquitoes, or the detection of the same virus in both mosquitoes and sandflies, indicate that the cycle of these viruses has unknown characteristics that could be of use to reach a deeper understanding of the cycle of related pathogenic flaviviruses.
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