A5077396885- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
- Animal Virus Infections Studies
- Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology
- Long-Term Effects of COVID-19
- COVID-19 and healthcare impacts
- Data-Driven Disease Surveillance
- COVID-19 and Mental Health
- Spatial and Panel Data Analysis
- COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts
- Medical Coding and Health Information
- Ear Surgery and Otitis Media
- Global Health Care Issues
- COVID-19 diagnosis using AI
- Autopsy Techniques and Outcomes
- Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare and Education
- Injury Epidemiology and Prevention
- Women's cancer prevention and management
- Smoking Behavior and Cessation
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- Hearing Loss and Rehabilitation
- Nasal Surgery and Airway Studies
Universidade Nova de Lisboa
2016-2024
National School of Public Health
2022-2024
Direção Geral do Território
2021-2024
University of Lisbon
2022-2024
Ricardo (United Kingdom)
2023
Algarve Biomedical Center
2023
Administracao Central do Sistema de Saude
2023
Instituto Nacional de Saúde
2023
University of Washington
2018-2022
National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge
2022
COVID-19 has created a ramifying public health, economic, and political crisis throughout many countries in the world. While globally pandemic is at different stages far from under control some countries, now time for health researchers scientists to start understanding how why governments responded way they have, explore effective these responses appear be, what lessons we can draw about policymaking preparation of next wave or infectious disease pandemic. We argue that there will be no...
We show that the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 lineage is highly disseminated in Portugal, with odds of proportion increasing at an estimated 89% (95% confidence interval: 83–95%) per week until 3 2021. RT-PCR spike gene target late detection (SGTL) can constitute a useful surrogate to track spread, besides failure (SGTF) proxy. SGTL/SGTF samples were associated statistically significant higher viral loads, but not substantial shift age distribution compared non-SGTF/SGTL cases.
Through deterministic data linkage of health registries, mRNA vaccine effectiveness (VE) against COVID-19-related hospitalisations and deaths was measured in 1,880,351 older adults. VE 94% (95% confidence interval (CI): 88-97) 82% CI: 72-89) for those 65-79 ≥ 80 years old, with no evidence waning 98 days after dose two. mortality 96% 92-98) 81% 74-87) these two age groups.
Pathogen genome sequencing during epidemics enhances our ability to identify and understand suspected clusters investigate their relationships. Here, we combine genomic epidemiological data of the 2022 mpox outbreak better early viral spread, diversification transmission dynamics. By 52% confirmed cases in Portugal, identified virus sublineages with highest impact on case numbers fitted them into a global context, finding evidence that several international probably emerged or spread...
Emergency department (ED) triage systems aim to direct the best clinical assistance those who are in greatest urgency and guarantee that resources efficiently applied. The study's purpose was determine whether Manchester Triage System (MTS) second version is a useful instrument for determining risk of hospital admission, intrahospital death resource utilisation ED compare it with MTS first version. This prospective study patients attended at large hospital. It comprised total 25 218 cases...
We developed a case-case study to compare mRNA vaccine effectiveness against Delta versus Alpha coronavirus variants. used data on 2,097 case-patients with PCR-positive severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 infections reported in Portugal during May-July 2021. estimated the odds of breakthrough infection Delta-infected Alpha-infected patients by using conditional logistic regression adjusted for age group and sex matched week diagnosis. compared reverse-transcription PCR cycle threshold values...
Abstract We estimated comparative primary and booster vaccine effectiveness (VE) of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.5 BA.2 lineages against infection disease progression. During April–June 2022, we implemented a case–case cohort study classified using whole-genome sequencing or spike gene target failure. For the study, adjusted odds ratios (aORs) vaccination logistic regression. VE progression penalized observed no reduced for (aOR 1.07 [95% CI 0.93–1.23]) 0.96 0.84–1.09]) infection. Among...
Introduction: Early reports showed that Omicron (BA.1) SARS-CoV-2 could be less severe. However, the magnitude of risk reduction hospitalization and mortality infections compared with Delta (B.1.617.2) is not yet clear. This study compares severe disease among patients infected variant in Portugal.Methods: We conducted a cohort individuals diagnosed infection between 1st 29th December 2021. Cases were positive PCR test notified to national surveillance system. variants classified first by...
Abstract Background In a context of multiple Omicron lineages circulation, it is relevant to clarify the effect vaccination and previous infections on risk infection severe post-infection outcomes. Methods Using electronic health records SARS-CoV-2 laboratory surveillance data, we conducted case-case cohort study covering period BA.2/BA.5 lineage replacement in Portugal, compare vaccine effectiveness complete primary booster dose against infection, COVID-19 hospitalization, mortality....
Abstract Introduction Early reports showed that Omicron (BA.1) SARS-CoV-2 could be less severe. However, the magnitude of risk reduction hospitalization and mortality infections compared with Delta (B.1.617.2) is not yet clear. This study compares severe disease among patients infected variant in Portugal. Methods We conducted a cohort individuals diagnosed infection between 1 st 29 th December 2021. Cases were positive PCR test notified to national surveillance system. variants classified...
The objective of this communication is to offer a better understanding the value telemedicine in health care, particularly its role creating opportunities for continuity care patients complex and novel setting as were circumstances early COVID-19 pandemic times. Crisis time also opportunities. With regard telehealth, all players (providers, staff, patients) should be informed about benefits become familiar with use various telehealth options will only achieved through large information...
Vaccination strategies to control COVID-19 have been ongoing worldwide since the end of 2020. Understanding their possible effect is key prevent future disease spread. Using a modelling approach, this study intends measure impact Portuguese vaccination strategy on effective reproduction number and explore three scenarios for vaccine effectiveness waning. Namely, no-immunity-loss, 1-year 3-years immunity duration scenarios. We adapted an age-structured SEIR deterministic model used...
We collected data from 10 EU/EEA countries on 240 COVID-19 outbreaks occurring July-October 2021 in long-term care facilities with high vaccination coverage. Among 17,268 residents, 3,832 (22.2%) cases were reported. Median attack rate was 18.9% (country range: 2.8-52.4%), 17.4% of hospitalised, 10.2% died. In fully vaccinated adjusted relative risk for increased outbreak rate. Findings highlight the importance early detection and rapid containment through effective infection prevention...
Abstract Introduction The B.1.617.2 variant (Delta) was associated with increased transmissibility and lower vaccine effectiveness than the B.1.1.7 (Alpha). However, effect of on disease severity remains unclear. This study aims to assess whether infection a higher risk serious illness, compared other co-circulating variants, measured through hospitalization death by COVID-19 in Portugal. Methods We conducted matched cohort adult individuals diagnosed SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 between March 29...
Self-Organizing Maps (SOM) are an unsupervised learning clustering and dimensionality reduction algorithm capable of mapping initial complex high-dimensional data set into a low-dimensional domain, such as two-dimensional grid neurons. In the reduced space, original patterns their interactions can be better visualized, interpreted understood.
Several SARS-CoV-2 variants that evolved during the COVID-19 pandemic have appeared to differ in severity, based on analyses of single-country datasets. With decreased testing and sequencing, international collaborative studies will become increasingly important for timely assessment severity new variants. Therefore, a joint WHO Regional Office Europe ECDC working group was formed produce pilot standardised study protocol estimate relative case-severity periods when two were co-circulating....
We report on a case of imported human rabies in Portugal, July 2011 woman who presented initially complaining back pain, without relating exposure to animal bites. She had travelled from Portugal Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, April where she been bitten by dog 1 May. was diagnosed with 26 and died two weeks later spite being treated following the Milwaukee protocol.
Abstract Background The SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant (B.1.617.2), initially identified in India, has become predominant several countries, including Portugal. Few studies have compared the effectiveness of mRNA vaccines against versus Alpha concern (VOC) and estimated variant-specific viral loads vaccine infection breakthroughs cases. In context dominance, this information is critical to inform decision-makers regarding planning restrictions vaccination roll-out. Methods We developed a case-case...
Abstract Introduction Information on vaccine effectiveness and viral loads in a context of novel variants concern (VOC) emergence is key importance to inform public health policies. This study aimed estimate measure comparative between Omicron (BA.1) Delta (B.1.617.2 sub-lineages) VOC according vaccination exposure (primary or booster) time since primary compare cycle threshold (Ct) values infections the status as an indirect load. Methods We developed case-case using data RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2...
During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, governments and public health authorities collected massive amounts of data on daily confirmed positive cases incidence rates. These sets provide relevant information to develop a scientific understanding pandemic’s spatiotemporal dynamics. At same time, there is lack comprehensive approaches describe classify patterns underlying dynamics COVID-19 across regions over time. This seriously constrains potential benefits for understand disease that would allow...
By March 2020, the first COVID-19 cases were detected in Portugal. Anecdotal evidence showed that National Health Service absenteeism rate rose. The present study aimed to quantify and characterize among these healthcare workers during pandemic This used data from Portuguese Transparency Portal for number of absence days (2015 - 2021). Absenteeism was compared, before after onset, absolute terms, as rates. Additionally, we performed an interrupted time series analysis, by fitting a Poisson...
In 2019, 93% of road traffic injury related mortality occurred in low- and middle-income countries, an estimated burden 1.3 million deaths. This problem is growing; by 2030 will the seventh leading cause death globally. study both explores factors associated with RTIs central region Mozambique, as well pinpoints geographical "hotspots" RTI incidence. A cross-sectional, population-level survey was carried out two provinces (Sofala Manica) Mozambique where, addition to other variables, number...