The emergence of diverse lineages harboring mutations with functional significance and potentially enhanced transmissibility imposes an increased difficulty on the containment of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Six yeast isolates were obtained from rotting wood samples in Brazil and frass of a cerambycid beetle larva in French Guiana. Sequence analysis of the ITS-5.8S region and the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rRNA gene showed that the isolates represent a novel species of Cyberlindnera. This novel species is related to Cyberlindnera japonica, Cyberlindnera xylosilytica, Candida easanensis and Candida maesa. It is heterothallic and produces asci with two or four hat-shaped ascospores. The name Cyberlindnera dasilvae sp. nov. is proposed to accommodate the novel species. The holotype of Cy. dasilvae is CBS 16129^T and the designated paratype is CBS 16584. The MycoBank number is 838252. All isolates of Cy. dasilvae were able to convert xylose into xylitol with maximum xylitol production within 60 and 72 h. The isolates produced xylitol with values ranging from 12.61 to 31.79 g l⁻¹ in yeast extract–peptone–xylose medium with 5% xylose. When the isolates were tested in sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate containing around 35–38 g l⁻¹ d-xylose, isolate UFMG-CM-Y519 showed maximum xylitol production.

Since its first identification in Brazil, the variant of concern (VOC) Gamma has been associated with increased infection and transmission rates, hospitalizations, and deaths. Minas Gerais (MG), the second-largest populated Brazilian state with more than 20 million inhabitants, observed a peak of cases and deaths in March–April 2021. We conducted a surveillance study in 1240 COVID-19-positive samples from 305 municipalities distributed across MG’s 28 Regional Health Units (RHU) between 1 March to 27 April 2021. The most common variant was the VOC Gamma (71.2%), followed by the variant of interest (VOI) zeta (12.4%) and VOC alpha (9.6%). Although the predominance of Gamma was found in most of the RHUs, clusters of Zeta and Alpha variants were observed. One Alpha-clustered RHU has a history of high human mobility from countries with Alpha predominance. Other less frequent lineages, such as P.4, P.5, and P.7, were also identified. With our genomic characterization approach, we estimated the introduction of Gamma on 7 January 2021, at RHU Belo Horizonte. Differences in mortality between the Zeta, Gamma and Alpha variants were not observed. We reinforce the importance of vaccination programs to prevent severe cases and deaths during transmission peaks.

Brazil was one of the most affected countries during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, with more than 10 million cases and more than 300.000 deaths reported. Together with the increasing rate of cases, the emergence of new variants of concern (VOCs) possessing mutations that affect immunogenicity and transmissibility poses a concerning burden in the healthcare system. In Brazil, three such lineages are currently circulating: P.1, a lineage firstly described in Manaus, P.2, firstly described in Rio de Janeiro, both already reported in other cities in the country, and B.1.1.7, a lineage initially identified in England and recently associated to increasing mortality rates.In this scenario, it urges the necessity of a rapid assessment methodology for identification of variants that could contribute to a better epidemiological surveillance and public healthcare administration decisions in dealing with the pandemic. Here, we describe a PCR genotyping approach using RhAmp technology (IDT Technologies) to correctly assess the circulating emergent variants P.1, P.2 and B.1.1.7 in Brazil. Genotyping is a quicker methodology requiring only a real time PCR machine available in most of laboratories preforming COVID-19 molecular diagnosis.

The Covid-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented need for epidemiological monitoring using diverse strategies. We conducted a project combining prevalence, seroprevalence, and genomic surveillance approaches to describe the initial pandemic stages in Betim City, Brazil. We collected 3239 subjects in a population-based age-, sex- and neighbourhood-stratified, household, prospective; cross-sectional study divided into three surveys 21 days apart sampling the same geographical area. In the first survey, overall prevalence (participants positive in serological or molecular tests) reached 0.46% (90% CI 0.12% – 0.80%), followed by 2.69% (90% CI 1.88% – 3.49%) in the second survey and 6.67% (90% CI 5.42% - 7.92%) in the third. The underreporting reached 11, 19.6, and 20.4 times in each survey, respectively. We observed increased odds to test positive in females compared to males (OR 1.88 95% CI 1.25 – 2.82), while the single best predictor for positivity was ageusia/ anosmia (OR 8.12, 95% CI 4.72 – 13.98). Thirty-five SARS-CoV-2 genomes were sequenced, of which 18 were classified as lineage B.1.1.28, while 17 were B.1.1.33. Multiple independent viral introductions were observed. Integration of multiple epidemiological strategies was able to describe Covid-19 dispersion in the city adequately. Presented results have helped local government authorities to guide pandemic management.