Background Although acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are the global leading cause of pediatric morbidity and mortality, the relative impact of viral pathogens on pediatric ARIs is still poorly understood, especially in equatorial settings. Long-term studies of multiple viruses concurrently circulating in these regions are still lacking. Here we report the results of a systematic prospective surveillance of multiple respiratory viruses conducted every weekday for nearly a decade in an equatorial city in Brazil. Methods We analyze the relative burden of influenza, parainfluenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus and metapneumovirus, their seasonality and their association with climatic and demographic factors, ARI diagnosis and pediatric mortality. Results and Conclusions RSV was the primary driver of severe childhood respiratory infections, including pneumonia. RSV was also the virus most strongly associated with respiratory-associated deaths, with RSV circulation and pediatric mortality being in phase. Influenza was the second most common cause of childhood ARIs but, similarly to parainfluenza, adenovirus and metapneumovirus, it was mostly associated to upper tract infections, and peaked much earlier than mortality. The results also show that viral circulation can be strongly seasonal even in equatorial regions, which lack seasons with low temperatures: while parainfluenza predominantly circulated in the dry season, RSV and influenza were concentrated in the rainy season. The consistent epidemiological patterns observed can be used for an effective adjustment of the timing of therapeutic and prophylactic interventions in this and potentially other equatorial regions.

The essential oil from the leaves of Myrcia ovata Cambess., commonly used in Brazil for the treatment of gastric illnesses, was screened for antimicrobial activity and action in the formation of microbial biofilms by Enterococcus faecalis. The oil was obtained by hydrodistillation using a clevenger-type system. Its

Bacteroides fragilis colonizes dog guts both as a commensal and as an opportunistic pathogen. This study aims to evaluate virulence factors of 13 B. fragilis strains isolated from dog intestinal tracts and their ability for biofilm formation. Capsules were detected in all the evaluated strains. A total of 61.5% of all strains were biofilm producers. These attributes most likely play an important role in B. fragilis persistent colonization in the gut.

Based on literature review, the present study aimed to evaluate data on cases of co-infections between tuberculosis and HIV in the period from 2015 to 2018 in the state of Ceará. Between 2015-1018, there were a total of 16,776 new TB cases in the state of Ceará (Figure 1). When we analyzed the first two years (2015 and 2016), there was a minimal difference, at 1%, this figure increased in the following year (2017), from 24.02% to 25.75%, leveraging in 2018, representing a total of 26.28% of the total cases of the last 4 years, that is, there was no change above 2% over the years. However, the number of cases increases gradually. Recognizing the epidemiological status of different regions and locations allows the state to recognize and interpret more efficiently the ways of combating the diseases that so devastate humanity and take the sleep of so many scientists and government leaders. Furthermore, the correct assessment of these data allows us to understand the growth of the disease in the region, and thus help in the process of controlling and informing the population.