Enteroviruses (EV) are most common cause of central nervous system (CNS) infection, mainly aseptic meningitis. In Brazil, data available concerning the distribution of EV types are scarce. The aim of this study was to describe of types EV in patients with infection of the CNS in São Paulo State. This retrospective study was conducted in clinical samples collected from patients with infections of the CNS from 2004 to 2014. We investigated the presence of EV by virus isolation in cell culture. The samples that showed cytopathic effect in the cell culture were submitted by indirect immunofluorescence assay, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and VP1 partial sequencing to identification of EV isolated. A total of 176 EV isolated in cell culture was detected and typed in 14.5% (n = 176/1215) of clinical samples analyzed; corresponding to 71.0% of AM, and 19.3% of encephalitis and meningoencephalitis. Echoviruses (E) were isolated most frequently, with 155 strains (88.1%), Coxsackievirus B (CV‐B), with 20 cases (11.4%), CV‐A, with 01 case (0.6%). E‐6 was the most commonly identified followed in decreasing order by E‐30; E‐18; CV‐B5; E‐4; E‐11; CV‐B2 and E‐9; E‐7; CV‐A9, CV‐B1, CV‐B3, CV‐B4, E‐13, E‐14, and E‐21. EV detected were classified as belonging to the species enterovirus B. EV were detected in all the period of the year with the highest rate in the spring and summer months. Data obtained in this study contribute to the knowledge about EV circulation implicated in CNS infections over a 11‐year period in São Paulo State, Brazil.

SUMMARYHand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a contagious enteroviral infection occurring primarily in children and characterized by vesicular palmoplantar eruptions and erosive stomatitis. Echovirus 4 (EV-4) has been commonly associated with aseptic meningitis. The association of HFMD with EV-4 has not been reported previously. Two samples of a 14-month child who presented mild fever, sores in the mouth, rash with blisters on the palm of hands and soles of feet were sent to Enteric Viruses Laboratory of Adolfo Lutz Institute. Clinical samples were inoculated in three different cell lines, and those which presented cytopathic effect (CPE), were submitted to Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA) and "one step" RT-PCR. Agarose gel electrophoresis from RT-PCR product, showed a product with 437 bp, which is characteristic of Enterovirus group. Echovirus 4 was identified by IFA. Although HFMD is a viral infection associated mainly with Enterovirus 71 (HEV-71) and Coxsackievirus A16 (CV-A16), our results demonstrate a diversity of serotype related to HFMD and stress the importance of epidemiological surveillance to this disease and its complications.

The objective of this study was to identify and characterize the immunological and molecular aspects of Human Enterovirus (HEV) associated with aseptic meningitis cases in São Paulo State, Brazil. Clinical samples (cerebrospinal fluid CSF, stool and sera) were analyzed from 21 viral meningitis suspected cases collected in the period from 1998 to 1999. The isolated virus were identified as belonging to Enterovirus genus and specifically to echovirus serotype 30 (EV-30), using immunological techniques as Indirect Immunofluorescense Assay (IFA) and Neutralization (Nt) and by molecular technique of Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) directed to the 5'NTR and VP1 regions of viral genome. The results obtained contributed with to the surveillance system of São Paulo State and they are important due to a shortage of epidemiological data about the circulation of EV-30 associated to aseptic meningitis in this region of the world.

An aseptic meningitis outbreak occurred during a period from February to May 2004 in São Joaquim da Barra, a town in the northern region of São Paulo State. A total of 40 cases were reported to the Epidemiological Surveillance Center of São Paulo State. Cerebrospinal fluid samples obtained from 23 patients were sent to the Adolfo Lutz Institute for isolation of the virus. These samples were inoculated into RD, HEp2 and Vero cell lineages and those presenting a cytopathogenic effect were selected for analysis by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), neutralization testing (Nt) and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Cytopathogenic effects were observed in 52.2% (12/23) of these samples. All isolated viruses were identified as human enterovirus by IFA and RT-PCR and echovirus 6 was typed by IFA and Nt. Our results confirmed the participation and importance of echovirus as the etiological agent responsible for this outbreak and the serotype diversity of human enteroviruses circulating in São Paulo State.

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The Brazilian Meeting on Research Integrity, Science and Publication Ethics (BRISPE) has been held every two years since 2010 in Brazil. The BRISPE has been the major forum for discussion of research integrity in the country. Although it is a national meeting, it has strengthened the role Brazilian science has played in international conversations on the responsible conduct of research. In 2010, the I BRISPE (www.ibrispe.coppe.ufrj.br) focused on research integrity issues related to research projects, to the submission and review process of manuscripts, and to authorship. In 2012, the II BRISPE (www.iibrispe.coppe.ufrj.br) addressed research integrity and leadership in science. The meeting looked at the country's responsibility to foster responsible research, considering its scientific leadership in Latin America. The meeting led to the publication of the Joint Statement on Research Integrity, (www.iibrispe.coppe.ufrj.br/ images/IIBRISPE/JoinStatement/JointStatementonResearchIntegrity_IIBRIS-PE_2012_English.pdf). In 2014, the III BRISPE (http://www.fapesp.br/8788) focused on institutional policies to foster research integrity initiatives at universities and research centers in Brazil. Locally, the III BRISPE was also a preparatory meeting for the 4 th World Conference on Research Integrity, which was held in Rio de Janeiro, in 2015 (www.wcri2015.org). In 2016, the IV BRISPE (www.brispe2016.org) drew upon the role of mentors, editors and funders to strengthen a research integrity culture in Brazilian science. The event was held at the Federal University of Goiás (UFG), November 17-18, 2016, with 260 participants. For this fourth edition of the meeting, there was a call for submissions for oral and poster sessions on research and education and on science policy. From 40 submissions, 34 were accepted. The Proceedings of the IV BRISPE contain the abstracts of oral and poster presentations of authors who agreed to have them published. The V BRISPE will be held in 2018.

Viral exanthems are a common problem in tropical regions, particularly affecting children. Various skin rashes have been reported in acute infections caused by Enterovirus. Biological samples from a child who presented generalized rashes were sent to the Enteric Virus Laboratory of the Adolfo Lutz Institute for laboratory diagnosis to be performed. A viral sample isolated from RD (human rhabdomyosarcoma cells) was subjected to the polymerase chain reaction and showed a 437-base pair product that was characteristic of the Enterovirus genus. Echovirus 6 (E-6) serotype was identified using the indirect immunofluorescence test. In addition, paired serum samples presented seroconversion to E-6. So far, there have not been any reports of E-6 involvement in exanthematic diseases in Brazil. Thus, the importance of epidemiological surveillance for these diseases and their complications is emphasized.

A integridade e a conduta responsável na pesquisa são essenciais para manter a excelência científica bem como a confiança pública na ciência. As instituições de ensino e pesquisa têm o dever de promover e monitorar a conduta responsável na pesquisa. Nas últimas décadas muitas universidades e instituições de ensino e pesquisa, sociedades científicas e autoridades nacionais desenvolveram leis, regulamentos, guias e procedimentos específicos para direcionar ações no combate às más condutas. Além dos danos particulares causados aos autores principalmente a nível emocional e profissional, as más condutas científicas atingem diretamente a reputação, o prestígio e o nome das instituições envolvidas. O Instituto Adolfo Lutz considera esta temática de extrema relevância e todo o trabalho de pesquisa referente ao estudo sobre integridade na pesquisa científica assim como, as propostas de atuação institucional na promoção de uma cultura de integridade científica são relatados neste artigo.