Introduction: The prevalence, public health impact, and epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis E virus (HEV) are poorly understood in Brazil. Methods: Serum samples from 535 individuals from three rural Afro-descendant communities located in eastern Brazilian Amazon were collected in October 2015 and tested for presence of anti-HEV IgM and IgG antibodies. Serologically positive samples were also tested for HEV-RNA. Results: Two cases were confirmed for anti-HEV IgM (0.3 %) and two cases for anti-HEV IgG (0.3 %). No sample was positive for HEV-RNA. Conclusions: Results indicated low prevalence of HEV infection in Afro-descendant rural communities from the eastern Brazilian Amazon.

RESUMOOBJETIVO: Avaliar a soroprevalência das infecções pelos vírus das hepatites B (VHB) e C (VHC) e a resposta imune para o VHB em servidores da Polícia Rodoviária Federal do estado do Pará, Brasil. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Estudo descritivo exploratório quantitativo, enfocando a vigilância em saúde do trabalhador, desenvolvido entre novembro de 2013 e dezembro de 2014, com 221 servidores, entre policiais e auxiliares administrativos. Os participantes foram submetidos à coleta de sangue para realização dos testes sorológicos HBsAg, anti-HBc, anti-HBs e anti-VHC, por técnicas imunoenzimáticas. RESULTADOS: Dos servidores examinados, houve frequência de 90,0% para o sexo masculino, prevalecendo a faixa etária de 41 a 50 anos (33,5%). Constatou-se a ausência de indivíduos reagentes para HBsAg e anti-VHC, prevalência de 8,1% para anti-HBc+/anti-HBs+, de 9,5% para anti-HBc+ isolado e de 42,1% para anti-HBs+ isolado. CONCLUSÃO: A detecção de marcadores de infecção pregressa do VHB na amostra indicou a circulação do vírus, e o elevado número de suscetíveis encontrado pode proporcionar o surgimento de novos infectados e/ou portadores do VHB. A ausência de circulação do VHC entre esses trabalhadores sugere que ações de prevenção e promoção à saúde devem ser desenvolvidas para o controle da infecção nessa população.Palavras-chave: Estudo Soroepidemiológico; Vírus da Hepatite B; Vírus da Hepatite C; Polícia; Cobertura Vacinal. ARTIGO ORIGINAL | ORIGINAL ARTICLEABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the seroprevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) infections and the immune response to HBV in Federal Highway Police workers from Pará State, Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Descriptive exploratory quantitative study focusing on worker health surveillance, conducted from November 2013 to December 2014, including 221 employees, policemen and administrative assistants. Blood samples were collected from the participants for HBsAg, anti-HBc, anti-HBs and anti-HCV serological tests by immunoenzymatic techniques. RESULTS: Of the examined workers, the higher frequency for sex was male (90.0%) and age prevalence was 41-50 years (33.5%). It was not found individuals reactive for HBsAg and anti-HCV. The study showed prevalence of 8.1% for anti-HBc+/anti-HBs+, 9.5% for isolated anti-HBc+, and 42.1% for isolated anti-HBs+. CONCLUSION: The detection of markers of past HBV infection in the samples indicated the circulation of this virus, and the high number of susceptible individuals found may lead to the emergence of new HBV infected individuals and/or carriers. The absence of HCV circulation among those workers suggests that prevention and health promotion actions should be developed to control the infection in this population.

Background: Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 (STEC-O157: H7) infection is related to major outbreaks and serious diseases such as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). In March 2019, a gastroenteritis outbreak occurred in the day care center of Vila Velha-Brazil, and a death occurred by HUS. Epidemiological investigation was conducted to identify the agent involved and source of infection.Methods and materials: A descriptive study. Cases were: children or employees who presented diarrhea or vomiting from March 1 st to April 5 th , 2019. A semi-structured questionnaire was applied. The rate attack of cases per class was calculated. Stool samples were collected from the cases and from water reservoir, kitchen tap reducer, water toy, water and food. Laboratory techniques used: culture, Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and pulsed field electrophoresis-PFGE.Results: There were 24 cases of diarrhea, of these two (79,0%) were children, five (20,9%) employees. The cases reduced by 92% after the suspension of day care activities in March 26 th . The 2year-old class had the highest attack rate (40,0%) and there were no case in the 4-year-old class. Bloody diarrhea was reported in five (21,0%), abdominal pain nine (38,0%), vomiting eight (33,0%), and three (12,0%) evolved to HUS, with one death (33% lethality by SHU). STEC-O157: H7 was detected in two children who had bloody diarrhea (one with HUS) and in the water tap reducer. The PFGE analysis identified that, the genetic homology between case strains was 90% and the genetic similarity between the cases and the water tap reducer was 64,0%. Conclusion:A gastroenteritis outbreak occurred in the day care center involving the EHEC O157: H7 strain. It is suggested that E. coli was introduced into the day care center by an infected person, spreading the outbreak, maintained by person-to-person transmission, stop the school activities and professionals guide about the characteristics of the disease helped in minimizing the severity of cases. It was recommended to guide teachers/staff about how to prevent fecal-oral transmission diseases, and to monitor water quality in the day care center.

No abstract

No abstract