National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge
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6th International Conference on Food Contaminants: Challenges on Emerging Contaminants and Planetary Health: Book of Abstracts
No full textThe 6th International Conference on Food Contaminants (ICFC2025), focused on Challenges in Emerging Contaminants and Planetary Health, was held in person from 25–26 September 2025 at the auditorium of the Museu de Eletricidade, Casa da Luz, in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal.
The conference addressed the growing challenge posed by emerging contaminants (ECs) in food and the environment, emphasising how their spread through the food chain threatens food safety and public health. Discussions explored policies to reduce exposure to food contaminants, examined the health impacts of chemical and biological contaminants—including occurrence, exposure assessment, and biomonitoring—highlighted advances in analytical methods for detecting emerging contaminants, and considered the full spectrum of their toxicity. These interconnected themes framed a comprehensive dialogue on safeguarding both human health and the wider ecosystem.
This multidisciplinary meeting provided a dynamic forum for established experts and early-career researchers to exchange the latest knowledge on food contaminants and their implications for human and planetary health. The scientific programme featured one keynote lecture, five invited lectures, 14 oral presentations, 43 poster presentations, and two round-table discussions. A Best Poster Award was also presented.The organization of ICFC2025 was the result of a joint effort between researchers from the National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge (INSA) in Lisbon and the Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM) at the University of Aveiro (with thanks to FCT/MCTES for financial support through national funds: UID/50017/2025 (doi.org/10.54499/UID/50017/2025) and LA/P/0094/2020 (doi.org/10.54499/LA/P/0094/2020)). The conference was organized in close collaboration with the Madeira Regional Secretariat of Health and Civil Protection (SRS), the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Fisheries (SRAP), and the Association of Senior Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technicians of the Autonomous Region of Madeira (TSDTRAM).
ICFC2025 also acknowledges the valuable support of Eurofins, Missão Continente, Sovena, Sumol Compal, Banana da Madeira, Henriques & Henriques, Fábrica do Ribeiro Sêco, Associação Portuguesa de Nutrição, and Associação da Promoção da Madeira
Mpox outbreaks in Portugal: laboratory response and challenges in epidemic control
No full textA infeção mpox, causada pelo vírus monkeypox (MPXV), tornou-se uma emergência global de saúde pública em 2022. Portugal foi um dos primeiros países a confirmar casos de infeção, o que levou à implementação de um sistema de vigilância laboratorial a nível nacional. Este estudo descreve a evolução epidemiológica de mpox em Portugal entre 2022 e 2025 e avalia o desempenho de diferentes tipos de amostras biológicas na deteção de MPXV. No Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge foram analisadas 5610 amostras de 2802 casos suspeitos de mpox pelo método PCR em tempo real. As amostras biológicas incluíram, maioritariamente, exsudados de lesão, orofaríngeo e anal e amostras de urina. Confirmaram-se 1202 casos positivos de mpox distribuídos por três surtos, sendo o primeiro o mais expressivo (79,3%). A maioria dos casos ocorreu em homens que têm sexo com homens, entre os 20 e 39 anos de idade. As amostras de exsudados de lesão e anal apresentaram as maiores taxas de positividade (95,1% e 87,9%, respetivamente), enquanto o exsudado orofaríngeo permitiu o diagnóstico em cerca de 5% dos casos que não apresentavam lesões visíveis. A vacinação, aliada a outras estratégias direcionadas, contribuiu para reduzir a transmissão e a severidade clínica da doença. A vigilância laboratorial contínua mostrou-se essencial para a deteção precoce dos casos, contribuindo para uma resposta rápida e eficaz no controlo dos três surtos. Estes dados reforçam a importância do desenvolvimento e da implementação de metodologias laboratoriais de diagnóstico e a adoção de medidas de vigilância dirigidas a populações vulneráveis.Mpox, caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV), became a global public health emergency in 2022. Portugal was one of the first countries to confirm cases, leading to the implementation of a national laboratory surveillance system. This study describes the epidemiological evolution of mpox in Portugal between 2022 and 2025 and evaluates the performance of different types of clinical samples for MPXV detection. A total of 5610 samples from 2802 suspected cases were analyzed by real-time PCR at the Portuguese National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge. Most samples consisted of lesion, oropharyngeal and anal swabs and urine samples. Out of these, 1202 positive cases were confirmed, distributed across three outbreak waves, with the first being the most significant (79.3%). Most cases occurred in men who have sex with men, aged between 20 and 39 years. Lesion and anal swabs showed the highest positivity rates (95.1% and 87.9%, respectively), while oropharyngeal swabs enabled diagnosis in approximately 5% of cases without visible lesions. Vaccination, combined with other targeted strategies, helped reduce both transmission and clinical severity. Continuous laboratory surveillance proved essential for the rapid detection of cases and contributed to the effective response to the three outbreaks. These findings highlight the importance of laboratory preparedness and focused public health measures for vulnerable populations
Re‐evaluation of pullulan (E 1204) as a food additive and new application for its extension of use
No full textEFSA FAF Panel members: Monica Andreassen, Gabriele Aquilina, Maria Lourdes Bastos, Polly Boon, Biagio Fallico, Reginald Fitzgerald, Maria Jose Frutos Fernandez, Bettina Grasl‐Kraupp, Ursula Gundert‐Remy, Rainer Gürtler, Eric Houdeau, Marcin Kurek, Henriqueta Louro, Patricia Morales, Sabina Passamonti and Laurence Castle.Henriqueta Louro - INSAThe present opinion deals with the re‐evaluation of pullulan (E 1204) when used as a food additive and with the new application on the extension of use to several food categories. Pullulan (E 1204) is obtained by fermentation of a food‐grade hydrolysed starch with non‐genetically modified Aureobasidium pullulans ■■■■■. Based on the available information, the Panel considered that the manufacturing process of pullulan (E 1204) using this microorganism does not raise a safety concern. The Panel confirmed that pullulan (E 1204) is of no concern for genotoxicity. In vitro, pullulan (E 1204) is broken down by salivary and pancreatic amylase and intestinal iso‐amylase and it is further metabolised to short chain fatty acids in the colon by fermentation. Human adult volunteer studies suggested that effects of pullulan (E 1204) are similar to the effects of other poorly digestible carbohydrate polymers including modified celluloses and that mild undesirable gastrointestinal symptoms (i.e. abdominal fullness, flatulence, bloating and cramping) may occur at doses of 10 g pullulan per day and greater. The Panel compared the dose of 10 g pullulan per day with the dietary exposure estimates to pullulan (E 1204) in its currently permitted uses and considering the proposed changes to the currently permitted uses. The Panel concluded that there is no need for a numerical ADI for pullulan (E 1204) and there is no safety concern for the currently reported uses and use levels. Additionally, the Panel concluded that the exposure estimates considering the proposed changes to the currently permitted uses and use levels of pullulan (E 1204) are of no safety concern. The estimates for dietary exposure to pullulan (E 1204) indicate that individuals with a high level of exposure, principally coming from food supplements, may experience mild gastrointestinal symptoms at the currently reported uses and use levels
Safety of the proposed amendment of the specifications of the food additive E960c(i) or E960c(ii)
No full textThe EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings (FAF Panel) provides a scientific opinion on the safety of the proposed amendment of the EU specifications of Rebaudioside M produced via enzyme‐catalysed bioconversion (E960c(i) or E 960c(ii)), to include a different microorganism strain in the definition. Rebaudioside M is produced via enzymatic bioconversion from Stevia leaf extract, using the genetically modified yeast strain K. phaffii CGMCC 7539. The final product is composed mostly of rebaudioside M (> 97%) and a mixture of rebaudiosides A, B and D at various concentrations. The Panel considered that the proposed amendment of the specifications is justified with respect to the inclusion of a new microorganism strain, taking into account that the manufacturing process and the submitted analytical data are already covered by the parameters listed in the existing EU specifications for E 960c(i) and E 960c(ii). The Panel considered that it is in the remit of the risk managers to decide whether the proposed changes in the specifications should result in an amendment of the already existing EU specifications of E960c(i) or E960c(ii). Viable cells and DNA from the production strain are not present in the final product; hence, the manufacturing process does not raise a safety concern. The Panel considered that the proposed food additive has the same physicochemical characteristics of E 960c(i) or E 960c(ii); therefore, the biological and toxicological data considered in previous evaluations will also apply to the safety assessment of Rebaudioside M produced from K. phaffii CGMCC 7539. The Panel concluded that there is no safety concern with respect to the proposed amendment to the EU specifications of E 960c(i) or E 960c(ii) related to the use of the new genetically modified strain K. phaffii CGMCC 7539 in the manufacturing process of the food additive Rebaudioside M produced via enzyme‐catalysed bioconversion
Parvovirus B19: serological profile of clinically suspected cases, confirmed at INSA between 2009 and 2024
No full textO diagnóstico laboratorial de parvovirus B19 humano é feito a partir da pesquisa de anticorpos específicos para o vírus (imunoglobulinas do tipo G e M) e deteção do DNA viral no sangue ou amostras respiratórias.
Com este estudo pretende-se contribuir para o conhecimento da seroprevalência de anticorpos para parvovírus B19 em Portugal, através da análise da presença de anticorpos IgG e IgM de amostras biológicas de indivíduos com suspeita clínica de infeção recebidas no Instituto Nacional de Saúde durante os últimos 15 anos, 2009-2024.
Entre 2009 e 2024 foram estudados 8469 indivíduos com suspeita clínica de infeção. Quando agrupados por estadio de infeção, 58% dos indivíduos apresentaram infeção antiga, 38% eram negativos e 4% apresentava perfil compatível com infeção aguda. Verificou-se a existência de 5 períodos com maior proporção de infeções agudas: 2009, 2012, 2015-2016, 2019 e 2024. A proporção de indivíduos com infeção antiga aumenta com a idade (22% para 69%). A proporção de indivíduos com infeção aguda foi mais elevada no grupo etário 10-19 anos (7%). No que diz respeito à sazonalidade, verificou-se uma maior proporção de indivíduos com infeção aguda no mês de julho (8%). A presença de anticorpos IgG em 63% dos indivíduos estudados é sugestiva de uma prevalência de infeção elevada na população.
Apesar da ocorrência destes períodos anuais com atividade viral mais intensa, este estudo mostra que o vírus se mantém em circulação, com infeções agudas a ocorrerem todos os anos em Portugal. A proporção de infeções antigas aumenta de forma mais acentuada durante as primeiras duas décadas de vida, tanto para os homens como para as mulheres. Esta observação é particularmente importante para as mulheres em idade fértil. Apesar desta percentagem de mulheres protegidas ser superior a 50%, ainda existe uma percentagem considerável de mulheres em idade fértil sem proteção (entre 34 e 44%), que podem contrair o vírus e transmiti-lo ao feto. Apesar de este estudo não ter representatividade nacional, os resultados obtidos sugerem que a frequência de infeção por parvovirus B19 se tem mantido,estável ao longo dos anos, não deixando, contudo, de ser importante a monitorização e vigilância dos casos suspeitos de infeção, face ao risco acrescido da ocorrência de transmissão vertical.The laboratory diagnosis of human parvovirus B19 is based on the detection of virus-specific antibodies (IgG and IgM immunoglobul ins) and the detection of viral DNA in blood or respiratory samples. The aim of this study is to contribute to the portuguese parvovirus B19 seroprevalence knowledge, through the analyses of the IgG and IgM antibodies presence in biological samples from individuals with clinical suspicion of infection, received at the National Institute of Health (Portugal) over the past 15 years, from 2009 to 2024.
Between 2009 and 2024, 8,469 individuals with clinical suspicion of infection were studied. When grouped by infection status, 58% of individuals showed evidence of past infection, 38% were negative, and 4% had a profile compatible with acute infection. Five periods with a higher proportion of acute infections were identified: 2009, 2012, 2015-2016, 2019 and 2024. The proportion of individuals with past infection increased with age (from 22% to 69%). The proportion of individuals with acute infection was highest in the 10-19 age group (7%). Regarding seasonality, a higher proportion of individuals with acute infection was observed in July (8%).
The presence of IgG antibodies in 63% of the individuals studied suggests a high prevalence of infection in the population.
Despite the occurrence of these annual periods of more intense viral activity, this study shows that the virus remains in circulation, with acute infections occurring every year in Portugal. The proportion of past infections increases more markedly during the first two decades of life, in both men and women. This observation is particularly important for women of childbearing age. Although more than 50% of these women are protected, a considerable proportion remain unprotected (between 34% and 44%), meaning they may contract the virus and transmitit to the fetus.
Although this study does not have national representativeness, the results obtained suggest that the frequency of parvovirus B19 infection has remained stable over the years. Nonetheless, the monitoring and surveillance of suspected infection cases remain important due to the increased risk of vertical transmission
Genomic analysis in the National Health Service: an INSA–ULSSM collaborative model for implementing the analysis of pathogenic variants in the exome
No full textScientific Opinion on benzophenone – 4 (CAS No. 4065-45-6, EC No. 223-772-2) used in cosmetics products – SCCS/1660/23
No full textCorrection: NAM Journal. 2025 Oct 12:100058. doi:10.1016/j.namjnl.2025.100058Highlights: -BZP-4 is safe when used as UV filter up to a max. conc. of 5 % in sunscreen, all leave-on products (tot. dermal aggregate); -BZP-4 is safe when used as UV filter up to a max. conc. of 5 % in sunscreen, all rinse-off products (tot. dermal aggregate); -Same for lipstick, sunscreen propellant and pump spray (separately or in combination based on determ. aggregated exposure); -BZP-4 use as stabiliser when the product is exposed to light should remain within the conc. of. 5 %, incl. UV-filter use; -This assessment did not cover the safety of Benzophenone-4 for the environment
Source attribution of human infection: a multi-country model in the European Union
No full textIntroduction: Infections caused by spp. represent a severe threat to public health worldwide. National action plans have included source attribution studies as a way to quantify the contribution of specific sources and understand the dynamic of transmission of foodborne pathogens like and . Such information is crucial for implementing targeted intervention. The aim of this study was to predict the sources of human campylobacteriosis cases across multiple countries using available whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data and explore the impact of data availability and sample size distribution in a multi-country source attribution model.
Methods: We constructed a machine-learning model using -mer frequency patterns as input data to predict human campylobacteriosis cases per source. We then constructed a multi-country model based on data from all countries. Results using different sampling strategies were compared to assess the impact of unbalanced datasets on the prediction of the cases.
Results: The results showed that the variety of sources sampled and the quantity of samples from each source impacted the performance of the model. Most cases were attributed to broilers or cattle for the individual and multi-country models. The proportion of cases that could be attributed with 70% probability to a source decreased when using the down-sampled data set (535 vs. 273 of 2627 cases). The baseline model showed a higher sensitivity compared to the down-sampled model, where samples per source were more evenly distributed. The proportion of cases attributed to non-domestic source was higher but varied depending on the sampling strategy. Both models showed that most cases could be attributed to domestic sources in each country (baseline: 248/273 cases, 91%; down-sampled: 361/535 cases, 67%;).
Discussion: The sample sizes per source and the variety of sources included in the model influence the accuracy of the model and consequently the uncertainty of the predicted estimates. The attribution estimates for sources with a high number of samples available tend to be overestimated, whereas the estimates for source with only a few samples tend to be underestimated. Reccomendations for future sampling strategies include to aim for a more balanced sample distribution to improve the overall accuracy and utility of source attribution efforts.This research was funded in part through the Joint Research Project’ Discovering the sources of Salmonella, Campylobacter, VTEC and antimicrobial resistance (DiSCoVer)’ within the One Health European Joint Program (OHEJP), which received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No. 773830. Research at the National Veterinary Research Institute (PIWet), Poland, was also partially supported by the Polish Ministry of Education and Science from the funds for science in the
years 2018–2022 allocated for the implementation of a co-financed international project
Implementation of genetic tests for disease prevention: challenges in evidence synthesis across clinical utility domains
No full textEditorialExcerpt: Robust evidence supports the critical role of genetic risk in shaping the frequency of a broad range of diseases, underscoring its significance as a determinant of health outcomes [1]. Accordingly, genetic and genomic tests hold significant potential for disease prevention by stratifying populations based on individual genetic profiles and guiding targeted interventions. However, despite the enthusiasm surrounding these technologies, their integration into preventive healthcare faces significant hurdles, primarily due to the insufficient evidence supporting their clinical utility [2]. Clinical utility, though not universally defined, generally refers to the test’s usefulness to provide actionable information that improves health outcomes. (...)This research is supported by the “PROPHET e a PeRsOnalised Prevention roadmap for the future HEalThcare” project funded by the European Union (HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions no. 101057721)
Microbiological quality of ready-to-eat street foods marketed in the Lisbon metropolitan área, Portugal
No full textA “comida de rua”/ street food é uma importante componente do sistema de distribuição de alimentos em muitas cidades. No entanto, alimentos expostos para venda na rua estão geralmente associados a condições ambientais e estruturais que favorecem a sua potencial contaminação microbiológica. Neste estudo, foi avaliada a qualidade microbiológica de 118 alimentos prontos para consumo, vendidos na rua, em instalações móveis e/ou amovíveis localizadas na área metropolitana de Lisboa. Foram usados como indicadores de higiene e/ou alteração, os ensaios Microrganismos a 30 oC, Bolores, Leveduras, Enterobacteriaceae e Escherichia coli. Como indicadores de segurança/higiene alimentar foram utilizados os ensaios Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus coagulase positiva (SCP), Clostridium perfringens, Bacillus cereus e patotipos de E. coli implicados em doenças gastrointestinais. De acordo com os Valores-guia INSA, 2019 a declaração de conformidade da qualidade microbiológica foi de Satisfatório em 35 amostras (29,7%), Questionável em 29 (24,6%) e Não satisfatório em 51 (43,2%). Três amostras (2,6%) obtiveram declaração de conformidade da qualidade microbiológica de Não satisfatório/potencialmente perigoso, devido à presença de L. monocytogenes > 100 unidades formadoras de colónias por grama (ufc/g) e/ou B. cereus > 105 ufc/g e/ou SCP > 104 ufc/g. Foram detetados genes de B. cereus que codificam toxinas diarreicas e eméticas nas estirpes isoladas de duas amostras que continham B. cereus > 105 ufc/g. Não foi detetada a presença de Salmonella spp., Clostridium perfringens e de genes característicos de patotipos de E. coli habitualmente implicados em doenças gastrointestinais, em qualquer das amostras analisadas. Verificou-se a presença de Staphylococcus coagulase positiva em 26,3% das amostras analisadas. Foi observada uma relação significativa entre a qualidade microbiológica declarada e o Grupo em que os alimentos se incluíam, com o aumento de classificações Questionáveis e Não satisfatórias no caso dos Grupos de alimentos que incluíam componentes hortofrutícolas crus (Fisher-Freeman-Halton = 29,01; p 100 cfu/g (colony-forming units per gram) and/or B. cereus > 105 cfu/g and/or CPS > 104 cfu/g. B. cereus genes encoding diarrheal and emetic toxins were detected in the strains isolated from two samples containing > 105 cfu/g. Salmonella spp., Clostridium perfringens and pathogenic E. coli were not detected in any of the examined samples. CPS was detected in 26.3% of the samples. A significant relationship between microbiological quality and food category groups, with the increase of questionable and unsatisfactory classifications for those samples including raw components, like fruits and vegetables, was observed (Fisher-Freeman-Halton = 29.01; p < 0.001). The data obtained highlight the need to deepen knowledge about compliance with Good Hygiene Practices, the establishment of critical control points and the level of knowledge of these principles by the street food vendors