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Percorrer por autor "Amaro, Fátima"

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  • Co-circulation of a novel phlebovirus and Massilia virus in sandflies, Portugal
    Publication . 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.
    2015-10-24Artigo científico Acesso aberto Ver mais
  • Co-Circulation of Leishmania Parasites and Phleboviruses in a Population of Sand Flies Collected in the South of Portugal
    Publication . Amaro, Fátima; Vilares, Anabela; Martins, Susana; Reis, Tânia; Osório, Hugo Costa; Alves, Maria João; Gargaté, Maria João
    In 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.
    2023-12-20Artigo científico Acesso aberto Ver mais
  • Detection of mosquito-only flaviviruses in Europe
    Publication . 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.
    2012Artigo científico Acesso restrito Ver mais
  • Diagnóstico laboratorial de dengue no Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge: casos autóctones na Madeira
    Publication . Alves, M.J.; Amaro, Fátima; Osório, Hugo; Luz, Teresa; Parreira, Paulo; Zé-Zé, Líbia
    2013-02Artigo científico Acesso aberto Ver mais
  • Distribution of the West Nile Virus vector, Culex pipiens, in mainland Portugal: A geospatial modelling study
    Publication . Martinho, Júlia; Costa Osório, Hugo; Amaro, Fátima; Silva, Manuel; Marques Zé-Zé, Líbia Maria; Pereira Figueira Alves, Maria João; Nunes, Baltazar; Soares, Patricia
    Background: 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.
    2025-09-30Artigo científico Acesso restrito Ver mais
  • 2013-02-08Documento de conferência Acesso aberto Ver mais
  • Electron-microscopy characterization of cells infected with a new phlebovirus isolated in sandflies from south Portugal
    Publication . 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.
    2015-08Artigo científico Acesso restrito Ver mais
  • Fatal Case of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, Portugal, 2024
    Publication . 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 Alves
    We 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.
    2024-12-06Artigo científico Acesso aberto Ver mais
  • First occurrence records and molecular identification of Sergentomyia spp. (Diptera: Psychodidae) sand flies in Praia, Santiago Island, Cabo Verde (2024)
    Publication . Pires, Hélida; Amaro, Fátima; Sousa, Celivianne; de Sousa, Rita; Leal, Silvânia da Veiga
    Phlebotomine sand flies are important vectors of pathogens affecting both humans and animals and are widely distributed geographically. In Cabo Verde, research on vector-borne diseases has focused primarily on mosquitoes, leaving other potential vectors understudied. As part of the ONESVEC surveillance project, we conducted a preliminary assessment to determine the presence of sand flies in Cabo Verde. From February to December 2024, entomological surveys using BioGents-Sentinel traps were carried out in five neighborhoods of Praia, Santiago Island: Achada Eugénio de Lima, Ponta de Água, Taiti, Vale do Palmarejo, and Vila Nova. Male specimens were slide-mounted for morphological identification, and randomly selected individuals underwent mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequencing. Haplotype diversity and species delimitation (DnaSP, ASAP) were also assessed. A total of 367 sand flies (184 males, 173 females) were collected, of which 168 males were successfully identified. Most specimens were Sergentomyia fallax, found in all neighborhoods, while S. squamipleuris was identified in Taiti and Vale do Palmarejo. Phylogenetic analysis showed Cabo Verde S. fallax forming a well-supported monophyletic group, distinct from North African and Cyprus-Saudi Arabian lineages. Haplotype analysis revealed high haplotype but low nucleotide diversity, suggesting a genetically diverse yet stable or expanding population. In contrast, S. squamipleuris sequences clustered with Kenyan isolates in separate subclades, consistent with higher nucleotide diversity. ASAP species delimitation supported the phylogenetic analysis. This study provides the first confirmed record of phlebotomine sand flies in Cabo Verde and highlights the need for expanded surveillance and pathogen screening across the archipelago.
    2025-11-06Artigo científico Acesso restrito Ver mais
  • 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 REVIVE
    O 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.
    2021-05Artigo científico Acesso aberto Ver mais