25 documents found, page 1 of 3
Detection of Rickettsia in ticks using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (...
Lansdell, Samantha; Hassan, Marwa M.; La Ragione, Roberto; Betson, Martha; Nuncio, MS; Lopes de Carvalho, Isabel; Zé-Zé, Líbia; de Sousa, RitaObjectives: The objective of the study was to develop a Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) assay for screening of Rickettsia species circulating in ticks using the citrate synthase gene (gltA). The LAMP assay employed portable visualisation methods, making the assay more field-suitable. Furthermore, prior methods have not used gltA as the target, despite proven success in Polymerase Chain Reaction (P...
Scalp Eschar and Neck Lymphadenopathy Associated with Rickettsial Infection Aft...
Quadros Flores, Maria Ana; Cruz Carvalho, Isabel; Alves, Mariana; Paulo, Sérgio Eduardo; de Sousa, RitaN/a.; N/a.
Ongoing outbreak of hepatitis A associated with sexual transmission among men w...
Rosendal, Ebba; von Schreeb, Sebastian; Gomes, Alexandre; Lino, Sara; Grau-Pujol, Berta; Magalhães, Sara; Ricoca Peixoto, Vasco; Roque, CarlaAn outbreak of hepatitis A is ongoing in Portugal, with 71 confirmed cases from 7 October 2023 to 24 April 2024. Most cases are male, aged 18-44 years, with many identifying as men who have sex with men (MSM) and reported as suspected sexual transmission. Phylogenetic analysis identified the subgenotype IA, VRD 521-2016 strain, last observed in an MSM-associated multi-country outbreak in 2016 to 2018. We wish t...
Molecular investigation of tick-borne pathogens from different regions of Morocco
Norte, Ana Cláudia; Laghzaoui, El-Mustapha; Guerreiro-Nunes, Andreia; El Mouden, El Hassan; Nuncio, Maria Sofia; de Sousa, RitaTick-borne pathogens are a worldwide threat to public health that can only be mitigated by knowledge on tick-host associations coupled with surveillance of their infection by pathogenic microorganisms. This information is not equally available throughout tick vector distribution range and is deficient in some geographical areas. In this study we did a molecular survey of tick-borne pathogens associated with dif...
Prevention, protocols, and lab capacity: lessons from a norovirus outbreak in t...
Sá, Regina; Roque, Joana; Marques Mendes, Pedro; Gonçalves, Inês; Sousa, Judite; Matos, Cátia; Júnior, Álvaro; Coelho, Anabela; Belo Correia, CristinaThis brief report presents the findings of an epidemiological investigation into a large-scale outbreak of norovirus gastroenteritis that occurred in a hotel in Algarve, Portugal, in August 2022. A total of 244 cases were reported, primarily affecting Portuguese families, with the parents aged 40-50 years and the children aged 0-19 years. Reported symptoms included vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhoe...
SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence Following a Large-Scale Vaccination Campaign in Portu...
Kislaya, Irina; Gonçalves, Paulo; Ramalhete, Sara; Barreto, Marta; Torres, Ana Rita; Gaio, Vânia; Gómez, Verónica; Manita, Carla; Almeida Santos, JoãoIntroduction: 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 nationwi...
Serological and Molecular Survey of Leishmania infantum in a Population of Iber...
Lima, Clara M.; Santarém, Nuno; Neves, Nuno Costa; Sarmento, Pedro; Carrapato, Carlos; de Sousa, Rita; Cardoso, Luís; Cordeiro-da-Silva, AnabelaLeishmania infantum, the sand fly-transmitted protozoan parasite responsible for leishmaniasis in humans, dogs, and cats, is endemic in the Iberian Peninsula. However, the impact of L. infantum infection on the conservation of the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is unknown. Herein, we describe for the first time the occurrence of L. infantum infection among a population of reintroduced and wild-born L. ...
Diversity of microorganisms in Hyalomma aegyptium collected from spur-thighed t...
Norte, Ana Cláudia; Harris, David James; Silveira, Diogo; Nunes, Carolina Saramago; Núncio, Maria Sofia; Martínez, Eva Graciá; Giménez, AndrésTicks carry a diverse community of microorganisms including non-pathogenic symbionts, commensals, and pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, protozoans, and fungi. The assessment of tick-borne microorganisms (TBM) in tortoises and their ticks is essential to understand their eco-epidemiology, and to map and monitor potential pathogens to humans and other animals. The aim of this study was to characterize the div...
Parechovirus Genotype 3 Outbreak Among Young Infants in Portugal
Linhares, Maria Inês; Brett, Ana; Correia, Lurdes; Pereira, Henriqueta; Correia, Cristina; Oleastro, Mónica; de Sousa, Rita; Rodrigues, FernandaIntroduction: Human parechovirus type 3 has been recognized as a cause of pediatric infection, occasionally associated with serious illness, including sepsis and meningitis, particularly among young infants. The aim of this study is to report the first known human parechovirus type 3 outbreak in Portugal.Material and Methods: Descriptive study of an outbreak that occurred between the 8th June to the 12th August...
Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Portugal in May-July 2020: Results of...
Kislaya, Irina; Gonçalves, Paulo; Barreto, Marta; de Sousa, Rita; Garcia, Ana Cristina; Matos, Rita; Guiomar, Raquel; Rodrigues, Ana PaulaIntroduction: The aim of this study was to estimate and describe the prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) specific antibodies (immunoglobulin M and/or immunoglobulin G) in Portugal in May-July 2020.Material and Methods: A cross-sectional seroepidemiological survey was developed after the peak of the first epidemic wave on a sample of 2301 Portuguese residents, aged 1 year o...