Molecular epidemiology of the SH (small hydrophobic) gene of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV), over 2 consecutive years

Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) strains were isolated from nasopharyngeal aspirates collected from 965 children between 2004 and 2005, yielding 424 positive samples.We sequenced the small hydrophobic protein (SH) gene of 117 strains and compared them with other viruses identified worldwide. Phylogenetic analysis showed a low genetic variability among the isolates but allowed us to classify the viruses into different genotypes for both groups, HRSVA and HRSVB. It is also shown that the novel BA-like genotype was well segregated from the others, indicating that the mutations are not limited to the G gene.     

Detection of a novel recombinant strain of norovirus in an African-descendant community from the Amazon region of Brazil in 2008

Noroviruses, a major cause of acute gastroenteritis outbreaks worldwide, are constantly evolving. This ability is reflected in the speed and efficiency with which these viruses spread and remain in the human population. The present study reports the detection of a novel recombination event among norovirus genotypes in Brazil in 2008. A strain detected in a stool sample from a child with norovirus-associated gastroenteritis, residing in an African-descendant semi-closed community of Pará State, was characterized as a novel intergenotype recombinant, GII.7/GII.20, as determined by partial sequencing and SimPlot analysis.     

Decentralization of workers' health surveillance in the city of Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil: a process evaluation

This study evaluates the decentralization of workers' health surveillance to district teams in Campinas, S?o Paulo State, Brazil, from 1990 to 2006. The history and context of this process were retrieved from documents at the Municipal Health Department in order to establish evaluation criteria and define facilitating factors and obstacles in guideline implementation, as well as to measure the gap between guidelines and reality. The evaluation used qualitative techniques with stakeholders' focus groups. The results showed that decentralization was defined according to the prevailing political options and according to the principles of the Unified National Health System (SUS). Facilitating factors included the increase in technical capability and integration among the teams, and obstacles included excessively centralized planning with limited participation, insufficient resources, and lack of clarity between the services concerning roles and responsibilities. The discussion of these results with health system administrators, social actors, and participating health professionals has contributed to the analysis and organization of transformative measures in regional public practices in workers' health surveillance.