Abstract:Merkel Cell Polyomavirus (MCV) is a virus belonging to the human Polyomavirus family. After its discovery and detection in approximately 80% of Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) tumors, it has been associated with this rare and aggressive skin cancer that primarily affects elderly and immunosuppressed people. In this study, a systematic review was developed to gather and evidence information about the involvement of MCV infection in the development of MCC. An analysis was performed in the PubMed database in order to find articles to answer the purpose of this present study. Ninety-seven articles met the criteria, forty-six of them investigated the prevalence of MCV in MCC clinical samples, and all showed that the MCV-MCC association exists, with the viral presence ranging from 18 to 100% in MCC tumors. In addition, results pointing to the MCV potential carcinogenic, infection, transmission and replication mechanisms, or even possible disease markers or therapeutic evaluations were found. Current literature has demonstrated frequent involvement of MCV in MCC, with survey of some disease indicative laboratory markers and possible therapeutic evaluations.

Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are the world's leading cause of morbidity and mortality. ARI impairs children's education and have a huge impact on the economy. Human rhinovirus (HRV) is the most prevalent agent of ARI. In this study, a clinical and epidemiological surveillance in outpatients was carried to investigate the involvement of HRV in ARI cases in the city of Guarapuava, a Brazilian southern city. Attention was also given to the most common medications used for treating ARI symptoms. Samples from 135 patients were collected from Apr to Dec from 2014, HRV was identified in nearly 20% of samples, with symptoms ranging from common cold to Influenza-like Illness (ILI) and was more frequent in individuals with 10 or less years-old. Nearly two thirds of patients reported use of at least one class of drug during the ARI episodes, such as analgesics, cough and cold preparations, and NSAIDs. In some cases and with no justifiable reason, patients also reported the use of antibiotics, possibly contributing to the development of bacterial resistance. These results show a significant detection rate of HRV in ARI cases, and highlight the impact of this virus in the local population.