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- 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.
- Serotype distribution and antimicrobial resistance of clinical Salmonella enterica isolated in Portugal between 2014 and 2017Publication . Silveira, Leonor; Pista, Ângela; Machado, JorgeFood-borne salmonellosis is an important public health concern worldwide. This study aimed to characterize the epidemiological patterns and resistance profile of clinical Salmonella enterica strains sent to the National Reference Laboratory for Gastrointestinal Infections of the National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), between January 2014 and November 2017. During the four-year period of study, 1082 clinical isolates were sent to INSA from several Portuguese hospitals and laboratories. Serotyping was performed according to Kauffman-White-Le Minor scheme and antimicrobial susceptibility was tested according to EUCAST recommendations. Multiple-Locus Variable number tandem repeat Analysis (MLVA) and Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) was performed for outbreaks identification. Among the 1082 isolates received, 83.0% were isolate in faeces, 10.8% in blood, 2.1% in faeces and blood, and 4.1% in other biological products. Fifty-five serotypes were identified. The top five most frequent serotypes, Salmonella 4,5:i:- (33.6%), Salmonella Enteritidis (29.3%), Salmonella Typhimurium (18.4%), Salmonella Rissen (2.3%) and Salmonella Typhi (2.3%), accounted for 85.9% of fully serotyped isolates. All cases of S. Typhi were acquired in endemic zones. Antibiotic susceptibility was tested in 943 isolates (2015-2017). Rates of resistance to at least one antibiotic and to ≥ 4 antibiotics were observed in 56.7% and 1.7% isolates, respectively, in either the more frequent serotypes, S. 4,5:i:- and S. Typhimurium, and the more uncommon, S. Brandenburg and S. Infantis. MLVA and WGS allowed the identification of national and multinational outbreaks of S. Enteritidis. Although overall incidence rates of Salmonella did not change over time, trends and epidemiological factors differed remarkably by serotype. Indeed, there was a significantly increase of S. Enteritidis isolates during this period (2014 – 15.9%; 2015 - 25.0%; 2016 - 31.6%; 2017 - 37.1%). Continued surveillance of susceptibility is important due to the risk of resistance, particularly to fluoroquinolones and 3th and 4th generation cephalosporin’s. A better understanding of Salmonella epidemiology will assist in responding to this disease and in planning and implementing prevention activities.