A5052017399- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- Antifungal resistance and susceptibility
- Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- Influenza Virus Research Studies
- Fungal Infections and Studies
- Respiratory viral infections research
- Mycotoxins in Agriculture and Food
- Microbial infections and disease research
- Infectious Diseases and Mycology
- Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases
- Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections
- Organoselenium and organotellurium chemistry
- SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing
- COVID-19 and healthcare impacts
- Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Studies
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
- Bird parasitology and diseases
- Neonatal Respiratory Health Research
- Sulfur-Based Synthesis Techniques
- Immune responses and vaccinations
- Milk Quality and Mastitis in Dairy Cows
- Cystic Fibrosis Research Advances
- Organometallic Compounds Synthesis and Characterization
National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge
2020-2025
Ricardo (United Kingdom)
2023-2024
Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine
2024
Instituto Nacional de Saúde
2023-2024
Semmelweis University
2024
Universidade Federal de Pelotas
2017-2023
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande
2018-2021
Abstract Background Influenza A(H3N2) viruses dominated early in the 2022–2023 influenza season Europe, followed by higher circulation of A(H1N1)pdm09 and B viruses. The VEBIS primary care network estimated vaccine effectiveness (VE) using a multicentre test‐negative study. Materials Methods Primary practitioners collected information specimens from patients consulting with acute respiratory infection. We measured VE against any influenza, (sub)type clade, age group, target group time since...
We conducted a multicentre hospital-based test-negative case–control study to measure the effectiveness of adapted bivalent COVID-19 mRNA vaccines against PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection during Omicron XBB lineage-predominant period in patients aged ≥ 60 years with severe acute respiratory from five countries Europe. Bivalent provided short-term additional protection compared those vaccinated > 6 months before campaign: 80% (95% CI: 50 94) for 14–89 days post-vaccination, 15% −12 35)...
In autumn 2023, European vaccination campaigns predominantly administered XBB.1.5 vaccine. a multicentre study, we estimated 2023 COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness (VE) against laboratory-confirmed symptomatic infection at primary care level between September and January 2024. Using test-negative case–control design, VE in the target group for overall by time since vaccination. We included 1057 cases 4397 controls. Vaccine was 40 % (95 CI: 26–53 %) overall, 48 31–61 among those vaccinated < 6...
Background Scarce European data in early 2021 suggested lower vaccine effectiveness (VE) against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron lineages than previous variants. Aim We aimed to estimate primary series (PS) and first booster VE symptomatic BA.1/BA.2 infection investigate potential biases. Methods This test-negative multicentre study tested care patients with acute respiratory symptoms for the BA.1/BA.2-dominant period. estimated PS among adults adolescents (PS only) all products combined Comirnaty alone,...
During the autumn/winter respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) epidemics, bacterial co-infection is common and affects disease severity. We aimed to understand relationship between RSV-bacterial co-infections clinical severity since RSV seasonality change after COVID-19 pandemic. conducted a prospective, sentinel surveillance study at 20 sites in Portugal children under 2 years hospitalized with RSV, April 21 January 23. Effect of potentially pathogenic bacteria (PPB) on length hospitalization...
Introduction: The frequency in detection of azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus isolates has increased since 2010. In Portugal, the section Fumigati is one most frequent, and resistant strains to have been found clinical environmental contexts. Although several cryptic species within show intrinsic resistance azoles, factor driving (acquired) selective pressure deriving from extensive use azoles. This particularly problematic occupational environments where high fungal loads are expected,...
Vaccination is considered the most important measure to control COVID-19 pandemic. Extensive follow-up studies with distinct vaccines and populations are able promote robust reliable data better understand effectiveness of this pharmacologic strategy. In sense, we present regarding binding neutralizing (achieved by surrogate ELISA assay) antibodies throughout time, from vaccinated previously infected (PI) health care workers (HCW) in Portugal. We analyzed serum samples 132 HCW, who were...
Identification of Aspergillus to species level is important since sibling may display variable susceptibilities multiple antifungal drugs and also because correct identification contributes improve the knowledge epidemiological studies. Two retrospective laboratory studies were conducted on surveillance at Portuguese National Mycology Reference Laboratory. The first, covering period 2017–2018, aimed study molecular epidemiology 256 isolates obtained from patients with respiratory,...
After the rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 BA.5 Omicron lineage in Portugal, we developed a seroepidemiologic survey based on sample 3,825 residents. Results indicated that from April 27 through June 8, 2022, estimated seroprevalence nucleocapsid or spike IgG was 95.8%, which indicates high level protection.
Importance In the context of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants or lineages and new vaccines, it is key to accurately monitor COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness (CVE) inform vaccination campaigns. Objective To estimate vaccines administered in autumn winter 2022 2023 against symptomatic infection (with all circulating viruses XBB lineage particular) among people aged 60 years older Europe, compare different CVE approaches across exposed reference groups used. Design, Setting, Participants This...
ABSTRACT We conducted a multicentre test‐negative case–control study covering the period from October 2023 to January 2024 among adult patients aged ≥ 18 years hospitalised with severe acute respiratory infection in Europe. provide early estimates of effectiveness newly adapted XBB.1.5 COVID‐19 vaccines against PCR‐confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 hospitalisation. Vaccine was 49% overall, ranging between 69% at 14–29 days and 40% 60–105 post vaccination. The conferred protection hospitalisation first...
The East African Community (EAC) is experiencing an unprecedented, emerging mpox outbreak since July 2024 in five of eight partner states. We highlight rapid regional response measures, initiated August coordinated by EAC: field deployment six mobile laboratories Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, South Sudan to high-risk areas, donation one laboratory Democratic Republic the Congo and genomic monkeypox virus (MPXV) surveillance support. These interventions aim limit local spread...
Diphenyl diselenide (PhSe)2 is a stable organoselenium compound with promising in vitro antifungal activity against several fungi, including Sporothrix brasiliensis. This species associated feline and zoonotic sporotrichosis, an emergent mycosis Latin America. We evaluated the of (PhSe)2, alone association itraconazole, treatment sporotrichosis caused by S. brasiliensis, murine model. Sixty mice were subcutaneously infected brasiliensis footpad treated gavage for 30 consecutive days. The six...
Sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis is a global emergent infectious disease. Due to the scarcity of therapeutic options for fungal diseases, new antifungals are urgently needed. Nikkomycin Z (NikZ) future option as an agent against dimorphic fungi. We evaluated NikZ monotherapy and in combination with itraconazole (ITZ; conventional therapy) treatment experimental sporotrichosis S. murine model. Animals were subcutaneously infected, treated orally 30 days. The study groups...
Due to the difficulty in access free-ranging birds, data regarding Aspergillus infections wild avian species is rare compared captive and domestic birds. report three cases of section Fumigati causing fungal disease aquatic with identification causal agent level. The diagnosis aspergillosis was performed by macroscopic lesions found during necropsy confirmed culture. Molecular partial sequencing calM benA genes allowed confirm fumigatus sensu stricto as etiological Procellaria aequinoctialis...
Given the few antifungal classes available to treat aspergillosis, this study aimed evaluate in vitro activity of diphenyl diselenide (PhSe)2 alone and combination with classical antifungals against Aspergillus spp., its vivo a systemic experimental aspergillosis model. We performed broth microdilution assay 32 isolates; checkboard test interaction compound itraconazole (ITC), voriconazole (VRC), amphotericin B (AMB), caspofungin (CAS), nine isolates. An model invasive mice was studied,...
Introduction and Objectives: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infection is an important cause of hospitalization in children under five years.A national RSV sentinel network was set up Portugal April 2021.We describe the trends hospitalizations until September 2022 identify risk factors for severe disease.Methods: Acute respiratory infections hospitalized two years were reported tested RSV.RSV disease severity defined by need ventilation or admission to intensive care unit.Risk ratios used...
We conducted a multicentre test-negative case-control study covering the period from October 2023 to January 2024 among adult patients aged ≥18 years hospitalised with severe acute respiratory infection in Europe. provide early estimates of effectiveness newly adapted XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccines against PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 hospitalisation. Vaccine was 48% overall, ranging between 68% at 14–29 days and 40% 60–105 post vaccination. The conferred protection hospitalisation first 3.5 months...
ABSTRACT We estimated XBB.1.5 vaccine effectiveness (VE) against symptomatic SARS‐CoV‐2 infection among adults aged ≥ 65 years during the 2023/2024 JN.1 lineage‐predominant period in a European multi‐country test‐negative case–control study at primary care level. VE adjusted by site, age, sex, chronic conditions and onset date. included 220 cases 1733 controls. The was 48% (95% CI: 12–71), 23% −11–48) 5% −92–56) those with symptom 1–5, 6–11, 12 weeks after vaccination, respectively. provided...
Abstract Vaccination is considered the most important measure to control COVID-19 pandemic. Extensive follow-up studies with distinct vaccines and populations are able promote robust reliable data better understand effectiveness of this pharmacologic strategy. In sense, we present regarding binding neutralizing antibodies throughout time, from vaccinated previously infected (PI) health care workers (HCW) in Portugal. We analyzed serum samples 132 HCW, previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. Samples...
An out-of-season increase in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) incidence was observed Portugal from June 2021 onwards, revealing a continuing surge cases throughout 2021/2022 autumn/winter. We aimed to describe this epidemic and define its period, by analysing RSV week 40 of 2020 (2020-W40) 18 2022 (2022-W18).Surveillance data on weekly laboratory confirmed cases, Portugal, used monitor using CUSUM test methodology for count data.In 2021-W23, the score identified significant risk RSV. By...
We evaluated the mortality due to aspergillosis in free-ranging Magellanic penguins during their migration and reproductive season. A total of 98 carcasses were collected along 370 km coastline Southern Brazil, between June 2017 October 2019, from colonies Patagonian Argentina, January 2019. All animals necropsied, only proven cases computed. Aspergillosis was diagnosed 2.5% route. Our study, coast is first demonstrate that an important cause penguins. The implications these findings One...