BackgroundRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the main cause of lower respiratory tract illness in children worldwide. Molecular analyses show two distinct RSV groups (A and B) that comprise different genotypes. This variability contributes to the capacity of RSV to cause yearly outbreaks. These RSV genotypes circulate within the community and within hospital wards. RSV is currently the leading cause of nosocomial respiratory tract infections in pediatric populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the G protein gene diversity of RSV amplicons.MethodsNasopharyngeal aspirate samples were collected from children with nosocomial or community-acquired infections. Sixty-three RSV samples (21 nosocomial and 42 community-acquired) were evaluated and classified as RSV-A or RSV-B by real-time PCR. Sequencing of the second variable region of the G protein gene was performed to establish RSV phylogenetics.ResultsWe observed co-circulation of RSV-A and RSV-B, with RSV-A as the predominant group. All nosocomial and community-acquired RSV-A samples were from the same phylogenetic group, comprising the NA1 genotype, and all RSV-B samples (nosocomial and community-acquired) were of the BA4 genotype. Therefore, in both RSV groups (nosocomial and community-acquired), the isolates belonged to only one genotype in circulation.ConclusionsThis is the first study to describe circulation of the NA1 RSV genotype in Brazil. Furthermore, this study showed that the BA4 genotype remains in circulation. Deciphering worldwide RSV genetic variability will aid vaccine design and development.

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DYSTOCIA in cats occurs in 3.3 to 5.8 per cent of all parturitions (Pretzer 2008) and is an important cause of stillbirth and early neonatal death (Gunn-Moore and Thrusfield 1995). Dystocia may be caused by maternal or fetal factors or, in some cases, a combination of both. Maternal factors include small pelvic size, abnormalities of the caudal reproductive tract, primary or secondary uterine inertia, malnutrition, parasitism, other abnormalities of the uterus and abnormal expulsion due to non-uterine causes (Pretzer 2008). This short communication describes an unusual case of dystocia in a queen due to an ectopic artery over the uterus.An eight-year-old, primiparous female domestic shorthair cat weighing 3.9 kg was referred to a veterinary teaching hospital 64 days after mating, after being in labour for more than 10 hours. During this period, strong abdominal contractions were observed without fetal delivery.On physical examination, four fetuses were identified by abdominal palpation. Abdominal ultrasonography was performed to assess intrauterine fetal viability and the presence of dead fetuses was verified. The decision was made to perform an immediate ovariohysterectomy.Under general anaesthesia, a ventral midline abdominal incision was performed. Inspection of the caudal abdomen showed an ectopic artery making an arc over the caudal part of the right uterine horn (Fig 1).The artery caused a stricture of the distal aspect of the right horn preventing the fetuses from entering the birth canal. The vascular ring precluded exteriorisation of the uterine body and cervix. The ectopic artery was an aortic branch; it entered the pelvic region and its path was not followed. Uterine vessel anomalies were not observed. There were two fetuses in each uterine horn.An ovariohysterectomy was performed using a modified technique: the right uterine horn and the right ovary were removed first to preserve the ectopic artery. Next, the left ovary, left horn and uterine body were removed and the incision was closed routinely. The cat had a good recovery, was discharged the next day and had not reported complications five years later.In queens, surgical intervention is required in approximately 60 to 80 per cent of dystocia cases (Traas 2008). Had the fetuses been alive in this case, a caesarean section using a separate incision for each uterine horn might have been considered. In the present case, surgery was essential to preserve the cat's life.To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of dystocia caused by an ectopic artery obstructing the uterus. Other obstructive causes of dystocia in cats include uterine prolapse, uterine torsion, uterine rupture and narrowness of the birth canal (Appleyard and Shelley 1975, Biller and Haibel 1987, Ekstrand and Linde-Forsberg 1994, Robbins and Mullen 1994, Gunn-Moore and Thrusfield 1995. Some anatomical uterine abnormalities found in non-pregnant cats include segmental aplasia of the uterine horn (Marcella and others 1985, Memon and Schelling 1992, Goo and others 2009), completely...

Objective: to characterize AIDS deaths eligible for Porto Alegre AIDS Mortality Committee (AIDSMC) investigation, Brazil, in 2015, and their therapeutic itineraries. Methods: this was a descriptive study using secondary data from surveillance information systems and AIDSMC investigation forms. Results: out of 336 deaths from AIDS-related causes, 113 (33.6%) were considered avoidable, of which 52 were analyzed by AIDSMC; there was predominance of males (30/52), low schooling level (29/52 incomplete elementary education), and less than 2 years between HIV infection diagnosis and death (28/52); tuberculosis was the most frequent cause of death (17/52); and in 50/52 cases at least one therapeutic itinerary inadequacy was identified. Conclusion: avoidable deaths of people with AIDS occurred mostly in men, those with low education level, those with recent HIV diagnosis and most deaths were due to tuberculosis.