Background: Chikungunya is a viral disease that is transmitted by mosquitoes. It is characterized by an acute onset of fever and severe arthralgia. Methods: We describe six cases of acute and post-acute chikungunya in which viral RNA was detected in semen. Conclusions: The most prolonged detection period was 56 days after illness onset. We attempted to cultivate positive semen samples, but virus isolation was unsuccessful in all cases.
1 January 2022 in Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo
Brazilian spotted fever, a zoonotic disease transmitted by ticks, is caused by Rickettsia rickettsii. We report a fulminant case of this zoonosis in a healthy 46-year-old military man in the urban region of Rio de Janeiro city, in October, 2021. Ticks and capybaras (Amblyomma sculptum, Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, respectively) were identified in the military fields, pointing to the participation of this large synanthropic rodent, recognized as an efficient amplifier host of Rickettsia rickettsii in Brazil. As the military population is considered a risk group for spotted fever, it is necessary to alert health professionals to the importance of the early detection of the disease and its adequate management, mainly in populations that are particularly at risk of exposure to ticks, in order to avoid fatal outcomes.
Background: Early studies have highlighted the possible development of dysgeusia and anosmia in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, and these manifestations should be considered a potential indication of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). As potential contributors to these symptoms, dentists should perform careful oral and oropharyngeal examinations and document suspicious oral lesions in patients with COVID-19, especially in those who complain of loss of taste and smell. The study’s objective was to assess the prevalence of oral manifestations among ambulatory unvaccinated symptomatic patients with suspected COVID-19 during the acute phase of the disease. Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated oral manifestations in adults (aged ≥ 18 years) with suspected and confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were used to compare data between the groups (rRT-PCR-positive and rRT-PCR-negative patients). Results: One hundred thirty-six participants were included. Most were female (n = 79; 58.1%), with a mean age of 39.53 (± 14.17) years. Of these, 54 (39.7%) had a positive rRT-PCR test, and 82 (60.3%) had negative rRT-PCR results. Oral manifestations were observed in 40 participants (74.1%) in the rRT-PCR-positive group and 67 participants (81.7%) in the rRT-PCR-negative group. The most common oral manifestations were xerostomia (n = 85; 62.5%) and dysgeusia/ageusia (n = 57; 41.9%). Different rates of gingivitis (n = 12; 22.2% vs. n = 5; 6.1%; p = 0.005) and halitosis (n = 7; 13.0% vs. n = 1; 1.2%; p = 0.007) were observed between the rRT-PCR-positive and -negative groups, respectively. Mouth ulcers, glossitis, tongue coating, and petechiae were reported in both groups without significant differences. Conclusions: A high prevalence of oral manifestations was observed in symptomatic patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Clinical Relevance: This study highlights the importance of routine oral examinations by dentists as part of the multidisciplinary care of COVID-19 patients.