Renata de Mendonça Campos

Prolonged detection of Zika virus RNA in urine samples during the ongoing Zika virus epidemic in Brazil.

Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging mosquito-borne virus that elongs to the genus Flavivirus. ZIKV may cause Zika virus disease ZVD) in humans that is characterized by fever, headache, myalgia nd rash. The first autochthonous transmission of ZIKV in Brazil was emonstrated in 2015 for patients from Rio Grande do Norte [1] and t was shown that the epidemic ZIKV strain in Brazil belong to the sian lineage [1,2]. Diagnosis of ZVD in humans is mainly based on NA detection in serum or plasma samples. Specific antibody detecion is mostly hampered due to strong serological cross-reactivity ith other circulating flaviviruses such as dengue virus or yellow ever virus [3–6]. Thus, there is an urgent need for a ZIKV diagostic protocol in Brazil that is effective in any ZIKV epidemic cenario, leading to a rapid, reliable and prolonged ZIKV RNA detecion. Paired samples of urine and serum from seven Brazilian ZVD atients were used for this study. For two additional ZVD patients nly urine samples were collected for a longer period after the onset f symptoms (ethical committee 80709). Viral RNA was extracted sing RTP® Pathogen Kit (Stratec, Birkenfeld—Germany), 400 l as used (for both, sera and urine samples), eluted in 50 l Elution uffer and ZIKV RT-PCR was performed according to Waehre et al. 7] using the Thermal Cycler peqLab—model peqstar 96X Univeral Gradient. Amplified fragments ∼200 pb were Sanger sequenced or confirmation. ZIKV RNA was detected in sera collected 2 days fter onset of symptoms, however urine samples from the same day ere tested negative. ZIKV RNA was first detectable in urine 4 days fter onset of symptoms, suggesting the beginning of renal excreion of ZIKV. For one patient ZIKV RNA excretion was observed until 4 days after onset of symptoms. In addition, our study demontrated higher levels of ZIKV RNA in urine when compared to serum. his was also observed by Gourinat et al. [8] during the ZVD epiemic in French Polynesia, reinforcing the evidence that the use f urine can increase the number of laboratory confirmed cases in n epidemic setting. The nucleotide sequences obtained with the mplicons confirmed the presence of the Asian lineage of ZIKV in io de Janeiro. In conclusion, urine samples should be considered s an important alternative to serum or plasma for the detection of IKV RNA because of a longer period of RNA detection, higher RNA evels, and less invasive sample collection.

Usutu virus in bats, Germany, 2013.

To the Editor: Usutu virus (USUV) is an arthropod-borne flavivirus that belongs to the Japanese encephalitis serocomplex (1). USUV circulates between ornithophilic mosquito vectors (mainly Culex spp. mosquitoes) and avian amplification hosts (2). Migratory birds play a key role in the introduction of USUV into new areas (3). USUV has recently been introduced from Africa into Europe, causing epizootics among wild birds and Usutu fever in humans (4–6). The detection and isolation of USUV from different bird and mammalophilic mosquitoes during the epizootic in Germany raise questions regarding the USUV host range (2,3). Bats have been considered natural reservoir hosts of a wide diversity of viruses, including several flaviviruses (7,8). Their ability to fly and their social behavior enable efficient maintenance, spread, and evolution of viruses.

Dengue virus transmission by blood stem cell donor after travel to Sri Lanka; Germany, 2013.

Three days after donation of peripheral blood stem cells to a recipient with acute myeloblastic leukemia, dengue virus was detected in the donor, who had recently traveled to Sri Lanka. Transmission to the recipient, who died 9 days after transplant, was confirmed.

Early Evidence for Zika Virus Circulation among Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

During 2014–2016, we conducted mosquito-based Zika virus surveillance in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Results suggest that Zika virus was probably introduced into the area during May–November 2013 via multiple in-country sources. Furthermore, our results strengthen the hypothesis that Zika virus in the Americas originated in Brazil during October 2012–May 2013.

Phylogenetic analysis of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus type O circulating in the Andean region of South America during 2002-2008

At present, Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) has been successfully controlled in most territories of South America, where only Ecuador and Venezuela remain as endemic countries. In this context, the precise characterization of circulating viruses is of utmost importance. This work describes the first molecular epidemiology study performed with the complete VP(1)-coding region of 114 field isolates of FMD virus (FMDV) type O, collected in the Andean countries mainly during 2002-2008. Sequences were aligned and compared to isolates responsible for emergencies in the Southern Cone of the continent between the years 2000 and 2006, and to other representative type O viruses worldwide. The results showed that FMD type O viruses isolated in South America and analyzed up to date are placed in 11 different lineages within the Euro SA topotype. Five of these lineages included viruses circulating in Ecuador and Venezuela during 2002-2008. The last emergencies reported in already-free areas in the Andean region, showed close relationships with viruses circulating in these endemic countries. Andean lineages showed a clear separation from the unique lineage containing viruses responsible for the emergencies in the Southern Cone, reflecting the different livestock circuits and providing evidence that support the ecosystem dynamics in the region. A wide geographical dissemination of the same strain in short time intervals has been observed, pointing to animal movements as the most significant risk parameter. This fact, together with an important generation of viral variants in areas under weak control strategies, reinforce the need of stronger official controls, as well as for establishing multinational cooperative measures in the border areas.

Cyclovirus CyCV-VN species distribution is not limited to Vietnam and extends to Africa

Cycloviruses, small ssDNA viruses of the Circoviridae family, have been identified in the cerebrospinal fluid from symptomatic human patients. One of these species, cyclovirus-Vietnam (CyCV-VN), was shown to be restricted to central and southern Vietnam. Here we report the detection of CyCV-VN species in stool samples from pigs and humans from Africa, far beyond their supposed limited geographic distribution.

O’nyong-nyong Virus Infection Imported to Europe from Kenya by a Traveler

To the Editor: O’nyong-nyong virus (ONNV) is a mosquitoborne RNA virus of the Togaviridae family. The virus was first isolated in June 1959 from serum samples from febrile patients in the northern province of Uganda (1). Unlike ONNV is primarily transmitted by anopheline mosquitoes (2). ONNV is genetically and serologically related to chikungunya virus (CHIKV) (1), but is restricted to the African continent. The clinical picture resembles CHIKV infection, i.e., a self-limited febrile illness characterized by headache, rash, and joint pain. In contrast to CHIKV, ONNV is reported to cause lymphadenopathy more often and affected joints do not show effusions (3).

Molecular epidemiology of foot-and-mouth disease virus type A in South America

A databank of 78 VP(1) complete sequences of type A foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) from South American isolates was constructed. Forty-nine samples corresponded to FMDV that circulated between the years 1999-2008, mainly in Venezuela, where most type A outbreaks have occurred lately and twenty-nine to strains historically relevant for the continent. The phylogenetic analysis showed that all South American FMDV belonged to the Euro-SA topotype. Sixteen subgenotypes could be identified, based on a 15% nucleotide divergence cut-off criterion: eight are extinguished, three were active until the year 2002 and the remaining five circulated in Venezuela during the years 2001-2007, illustrating the potential for FMDV diversification under appropriate selective pressure. The last emergencies reported in already-free areas of Colombia in 2004 and 2008 were closely related to isolates acting in Venzuela. Evidence of positive selection over codon 170, within the immunogenic site 4 of VP1 protein, was recorded. A codon deletion in amino acid position 142, within the G-H loop, was found in some isolates within subgenotypes 14, 15 and 16. Conversely amino acid deletion 197 was restricted to all isolates within a particular genetic cluster. The present work is the first comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of FMDV type A in South America, filling a gap of knowledge with respect to both, historical and acting viruses. The results provided evidence that supports the ecosystem dynamics in the region, and also served as an input to establish genetic links of emergencies in already-declared free areas, highlighting the need for strengthening control activities.

Thieno[2,3-b]pyridine derivatives: a new class of antiviral drugs against Mayaro virus

Mayaro virus (MAYV) is an arthropod-borne virus and a member of the family Togaviridae, genus Alphavirus. Its infection leads to an acute illness accompanied by long-lasting arthralgia. To date, there are no antiviral drugs or vaccines against infection with MAYV and resources for the prevention or treatment of other alphaviruses are very limited. MAYV has served as a model to study the antiviral potential of several substances on alphavirus replication. In this work we evaluated the antiviral effect of seven new derivatives of thieno[2,3-b]pyridine against MAYV replication in a mammalian cell line. All derivatives were able to reduce viral production effectively at concentrations that were non-toxic for Vero cells. Molecular modeling assays predicted low toxicity risk and good oral bioavailability of the substances in humans. One of the molecules, selected for further study, demonstrated a strong anti-MAYV effect at early stages of replication, as it protected pre-treated cells and also during the late stages, affecting virus morphogenesis. This study is the first to demonstrate the antiviral effect of thienopyridine derivatives on MAYV replication in vitro, suggesting the potential application of these substances as antiviral molecules against alphaviruses. Additional in vivo research will be needed to expand the putative therapeutic applications.

Genome Sequence of KP-Rio/2015, a Novel Klebsiella pneumoniae (Podoviridae) Phage

ABSTRACT Klebsiella pneumoniae is a pathogen frequently associated with antibiotic-resistant nosocomial infections. Here, we describe the genome of KP-Rio/2015, a novel phage ofK. pneumoniae belonging to the family Podoviridae.