Browsing by Author "Manita, Carla"
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- An Overview of Monkeypox Virus Detection in Different Clinical Samples and Analysis of Temporal Viral Load DynamicsPublication . Cordeiro, Rita; Pelerito, Ana; de Carvalho, Isabel Lopes; Lopo, Sílvia; Neves, Raquel; Rocha, Raquel; Palminha, Paula; Verdasca, Nuno; Palhinhas, Cláudia; Borrego, Maria José; Manita, Carla; Ferreira, Idalina; Bettencourt, Célia; Vieira, Patrícia; Silva, Sónia; Água-Doce, Ivone; Roque, Carla; Cordeiro, Dora; Brondani, Greice; Santos, João Almeida; Martins, Susana; Rodrigues, Irene; Ribeiro, Carlos; Núncio, Maria Sofia; Gomes, João Paulo; Batista, Fernando da ConceiçãoMpox is a zoonotic disease caused by the Monkeypox virus (MPXV), and since May 2022, tens of thousands of cases have been reported in non-endemic countries. We aimed to evaluate the suitability of different sample types for mpox diagnostic and assess the temporal dynamics of viral load. We evaluated 1914 samples from 953 laboratory-confirmed cases. The positivity rate was higher for lesion (91.3%) and rectal swabs (86.1%) when compared with oropharyngeal swabs (69.5%) and urines (41.2%), indicating higher viral loads for the former. Supporting this, lesion and rectal swabs showed lower median PCR C values (C = 23 and C = 24), compared to oropharyngeal swabs and urines (C = 31). Stable MPXV loads were observed in swabs from lesions up to 30 days after symptoms onset, contrasting with a considerable decrease in viral load in rectal and oropharyngeal swabs. Overall, these results point to lesion swabs as the most suitable samples for detecting MPXV in the 2022-2023 multicountry outbreak and show comparable accuracy to rectal swabs up to 8 days after symptoms onset. These findings, together with the observation that about 5% of patients were diagnosed through oropharyngeal swabs while having negative lesions, suggest that multisite testing should be performed to increase diagnostic sensitivity.
- CMV and HCV infections in HIV/non-HIV mothers and newborns: prevalence, frequency and risk factorsPublication . Lopo, Sílvia; Pereira, Maria Amável; Mendonça, Joana; Vinagre, Elsa; Reis, Tânia; Cordeiro, Dora; Almeida, Catarina; Água-Doce, Ivone; Manita, Carla; Palminha, Paula; Pádua, Elizabeth; Paixão, Maria Teresa; Carreiro, Helena; Barroso, Rosalina; Campos, Teresa; Marques, TâniaThe incidence of HIV infections in gestational age is an important Public Health issue as are concerns about co-infection with opportunistic viruses, such as CMV/HCV. Several authors refer higher ratios of congenital CMV infection in children born to HIV infected mother than in uninfected. In the case of HCV, perinatal transmission increases in cases of mothers co-infected with HIV. Aims:To study CMV/HCV infection/co-infection in HIV/non-HIV women and their newborns between 2006-2010, according to epidemiological, laboratory and clinical data; to evaluate frequency of CMV/HIV/HCV maternal-fetal transmission and analyse risk factors for infections. Methods:Plasma and/or urine of 137 HIV and 140 non-HIV women, attending a Lisbon Hospital and their 140 newborns were analysed at NIH. HIV-1 and/or HIV-2 proviral DNA nested-PCR was performed on HIV mothers and their newborn’s plasma. Maternal plasma was screened for CMV and HCV antibodies; RNA determination, genotyping and viral load were performed on women with HCV antibodies, their newborn’s plasma was also screened for HCV. Newborn’s urine was inoculated for CMV detection. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 17.0 and Fisher's exact test. Results:HIV1 vertical transmission was diagnosed in 3/140(2.1%) cases. CMV congenital infection was diagnosed in 4(2.9%) newborns from HIV women and no congenital CMV infection was diagnosed in newborns from non-HIV women. 2/137(1.5%) HIV women and 14/140(10.0%) non-HIV women were CMV seronegative. HCV infection was detected in 6(4.4%) HIV women; all had HCV positive viral load; different genotypes were found. One case of HCV perinatal transmission was diagnosed. No HCV antibodies were found in non-HIV women. No children were HIV/HCV or CMV/HCV coinfected but 2 were HIV/CMV coinfected. There is evidence of significant statistical associations with race/ethnicity and time of pregnancy. Conclusion:In this study HIV women had higher CMV/HCV antibody prevalence and frequency of maternal-fetal transmission than non-HIV women. 2/137 HIV seronegative newborns and 2/3 HIV newborns were CMV congenitally infected; this difference should be further studied, as the consequences of CMV/HCV infections may become increasingly serious and complex in the presence of HIV. This specific group is not representative of the Portuguese infected women, nevertheless the significant risk factors found and other risk factors studied without strong associations should be considered in larger studies.
- Leptospirosis in Portugal: a retrospective study from 2012 to 2017Publication . Soeiro, Sofia; Matos, Rita; Santos, João; Manita, Carla; Martins, Helena CortesIntroduction: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by spirochete bacteria of the genus Leptospira. There are 10 pathogenic species, and more than 250 pathogenic serovars. Humans and animals are infected with Leptospira through direct contact with the urine of an infected animal or indirectly by environmental contamination such as soil and water. Transmission occurs through mucous membranes, conjunctiva and skin cuts or abrasions. Leptospirosis ranges in severity from a mild, self-limited febrile illness to a fulminant life-threatening illness. The disease is widely spread all over the world, with a higher incidence in the tropical areas of the globe. Leptospirosis is a nationally notified disease, and 176 cases were declared during the 2012-2015 period, with a higher incidence on adult men. The aim of this study is to present an overview of cases observed during the past 6 years (2012-2017) in a convenience sample of the Portuguese population.
- Molecular Epidemiology of Hepatitis A Virus in a Group of Portuguese Citizens Living in Lisbon AreaPublication . Rodrigues, Luisa; Pista, Angela; Oliveira, Ana; Água-Doce, Ivone; Manita, Carla; Paixão, TeresaHepatitis A virus (HAV) is the most important cause of acute infectious hepatitis worldwide. In Portugal, due to improvements in sanitation epidemic outbreaks of HAV infection have become less frequent. This report is the first, to our knowledge that characterized HAV in Portugal. For the detection and molecular characterization of HAV cases in a group of Portuguese individuals in the Lisbon area, 31 serum samples were tested: 8 from symptomatic children from an acute hepatitis A outbreak in a Roma (Gipsies) community (2004–2005), and 22 from patients with acuteHAV from sporadic cases (2005–2006). A sample of CSF involved in a case of meningitis was also included. IgM anti-HAV detection and nested reverse transcription (RT-PCR), with primers located at the VP1-P2a region, was undertaken to detect HAV genome. In positive samples, molecular characterization was followed by phylogenetic analysis. All samples (n¼31) were positive for IgM anti-HAV. HAV RNA was found in 96.7% of cases. All isolates were classified as genotype I: 22 belonged to sub-genotype IA (73.3%), and 8 to sub-genotype IB (26.7%). All strains obtained from an acute HAV outbreak had sub-genotype IA, in which seven isolates (87.5%) had identical sequences. In HAV sporadic cases sub-genotypes IA and IB were identified, and this may reflect the co-circulation of these two subgenotypes in Portugal. Molecular epidemiology of HAV infection in this group of Portuguese appears to be similar to other European countries. HAV phylogenetic studies can provide important information for the design of appropriate public health measures.
- Portuguese National Serological Survey to Coronavirus Disease 19 - ISNCOVID-19Publication . Kislaya, Irina; Gómez, Verónica; Garcia, Ana Cristina; Machado, Ausenda; Torres, Ana Rita; Roquette, Rita; Sousa-Uva, Mafalda; Matias Dias, Carlos; Nunes, Baltazar; Costa, Inês; Gonçalves, Paulo; Matos, Rita; Machado, Jorge; Manita, Carla; Martins, Fátima; Santos, João; de Sousa, Rita; Soeiro, Sofia; Rocha, Raquel; Roque, Carla; Verdasca, Nuno; Guiomar, Raquel; Rodrigues, Ana Paula; ISNCOVID-19 study teamThe objective of this seroepidemiological survey was to estimate seroprevalence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) specific antibodies (IgM and/or IgG) in Portugal in May-July 2020. The seroprevalence of SARS-Cov-2 infection (positive for IgM and/or IgG) was 2.9% (CI95: 2.0 - 4.2%). Our results support extend limited extent of infection by SARS-CoV-2 in Portugal due to early lockdown measures implementation.
- SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence Following a Large-Scale Vaccination Campaign in Portugal: Results of the National Serological Survey, September - November 2021Publication . Kislaya, Irina; Gonçalves, Paulo; Ramalhete, Sara; Barreto, Marta; Torres, Ana Rita; Gaio, Vânia; Gómez, Verónica; Manita, Carla; Almeida Santos, João; Soeiro, Sofia; De Sousa, Rita; Melo, Aryse; Henriques, Camila; Guiomar, Raquel; Rodrigues, Ana Paula; ISNCOVID-19 Group, On Behalf ofIntroduction: Following a COVID-19 mass vaccination campaign, it is important to evaluate the population level of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence rate of SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies acquired due to infection or vaccination in the Portuguese population. Material and methods: The National Serological Survey (third wave - ISN3COVID-19) is a cross-sectional nationwide epidemiological study developed on a sample of 4545 Portuguese residents aged one year or older, between the 28th September 2021 and the 19th November 2021. The SARS-CoV-2 anti-nucleoprotein and anti-spike IgG antibody levels were determined in serum samples using Abbott Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassays. Seroprevalence estimates were stratified by age group, sex, administrative region and self-reported chronic conditions. Medians and respective 95% confidence intervals were used to describe the distribution of SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies in specific population subgroups. Results: The total seroprevalence rate of SARS-CoV-2 was 86.4% (95% CI: 85.2% to 87.6%). A higher seroprevalence rate was estimated for women (88.3%), 50 to 59 years-old (96.5%) and in those with two or more self-reported chronic conditions (90.8%). A higher IgG (anti-Spike) concentration was observed in individuals vaccinated with the booster dose (median = 1 2601.3 AU/mL; 95% CI: 4127.5 to 19 089.1). Conclusion: There was a significant increase in SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence following the mass vaccination campaign in Portugal. It is important to continue to monitor the distribution of specific SARS-COV-2 antibody at the population level to further inform public health policies.
- Seroprevalence of Specific SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies during Omicron BA.5 Wave, Portugal, April-June 2022Publication . Kislaya, Irina; Melo, Aryse; Barreto, Marta; Henriques, Camila; Aniceto, Carlos; Manita, Carla; Ramalhete, Sara; Santos, João Almeida; Soeiro, Sofia; Rodrigues, Ana PaulaAfter the rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 BA.5 Omicron lineage in Portugal, we developed a seroepidemiologic survey based on a sample of 3,825 residents. Results indicated that from April 27 through June 8, 2022, the estimated seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid or spike IgG was 95.8%, which indicates a high level of protection.