Lucila Vilela

Mrs. Lucila Vilela

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
GCGiovana Santos Caleiro
Giovana Santos Caleiro
LVLucila Vilela
Lucila Vilela
KBKarolina Morales Barrio-Nuevo
Karolina Morales Barrio-Nuevo
RTRosa Maria Tubaki
Rosa Maria Tubaki
RMREGIANE MARIA TIRONI DE MENEZES
REGIANE MARIA TIRONI DE MENEZES
MCMariana Sequetin Cunha
Mariana Sequetin Cunha
Yellow fever virus (YFV) is an endemic arbovirus in parts of Africa and the Americas. In Brazil, following the eradication of the urban transmission cycle, YFV is maintained in a sylvatic cycle involving several species of neotropical primates and mosquitoes of the genera Haemagogus and Sabethes, which serve as primary and secondary vectors, respectively. During the 2016–2019 outbreak in São Paulo State, a total of 3731 mosquito pools were collected from sites with ongoing epizootic events in 192 municipalities. The RT-qPCR analysis detected YFV in 46 pools (1.4%) across nine mosquito species, including both primary and secondary vectors, as well as species from the genera Aedes and Psorophora. Differences in viral loads were observed among species. While Aedes aegypti was not found to be positive, the detection of natural YFV infection in other Aedes species raises concerns about potential virus reurbanization. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of additional mosquito species in YFV transmission in Brazil.

24 March 2025 in Preprints.org
Verified
Preprint
Open access
PDF file
GCGiovana Santos Caleiro
Giovana Santos Caleiro
LVLucila Vilela
Lucila Vilela
KBKarolina Morales Barrio-Nuevo
Karolina Morales Barrio-Nuevo
RTRosa Maria Tubaki
Rosa Maria Tubaki
RMREGIANE MARIA TIRONI DE MENEZES
REGIANE MARIA TIRONI DE MENEZES
MCMariana Sequetin Cunha
Mariana Sequetin Cunha
Yellow fever virus (YFV) is an endemic arbovirus in parts of Africa and the Americas. In Brazil, following the eradication of the urban transmission cycle, YFV is maintained in a sylvatic cycle involving several species of neotropical primates and mosquitoes of the genera Haemagogus and Sabethes, which serve as primary and secondary vectors, respectively. During the 2016–2019 outbreak in São Paulo State, a total of 3,731 mosquito pools were collected from sites with ongoing epizootic events in 192 municipalities. RT-qPCR analysis detected YFV in 46 pools (1.4%) across nine mosquito species, including both primary and secondary vectors, as well as species from the genera Aedes and Psorophora. Differences in viral loads were observed among species. While Aedes aegypti was not found to be positive, the detection of natural YFV infection in other Aedes species raises concerns about potential virus reurbanization. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of additional mosquito species in YFV transmission in Brazil.

24 February 2025 in Parasitology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
LVLucila Vilela
Lucila Vilela
ZSZachary Shahn
Zachary Shahn
ACArturo Carpio
Arturo Carpio
WYW. Luis Yepez
W. Luis Yepez
DCDaniela Di Capua
Daniela Di Capua
EKElizabeth A. Kelvin
Elizabeth A. Kelvin
Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a neglected parasitic disease that causes neurological symptoms. However, little is known about the long-term impact of this infection on health. We contacted participants from a randomized controlled trial on albendazole treatment for NCC in Ecuador 12 years after trial completion (14–16 years after NCC diagnosis) about their long-term health. We described the symptoms experienced post-trial and investigated if albendazole treatment, the presence of calcified NC cysts, and cysts in extraparenchymal locations at last imaging predicted symptoms. All analyses were standardized by adjusting for participant age and sex. In the 12 years post-trial, 52.1% reported some health problem, with 48.9% reporting neurological symptoms such as seizures (16.6% of participants) and headaches (26.6% of participants). At the end of the trial, 11 participants had complete NCC cyst resolution, of whom 3 (27.3%) reported seizures and 1 (9.1%) reported headaches post-trial. Twenty-four participants had only calcified cysts (residual calcification sometimes left after the parasite dies) by trial end, of whom 8 (33.3%) reported seizures and 9 (37.5%) headaches post-trial. None of the predictors examined were significantly associated with long-term symptoms. A high proportion of people diagnosed with NCC continue experiencing symptoms years after treatment, and while slightly fewer people experienced continued symptoms in the albendazole group, the difference was not statistically significant. Eleven participants with no live parasites at last imaging (8 with residual calcifications) had seizures post-trial, which may be unprovoked and an indication of epilepsy risk. Research is urgently needed to improve NCC treatment to mitigate long-term outcomes.