Rio De Janeiro Metropolitan Area Research Articles

Implementação da Política Nacional de Resíduos Sólidos

Resumo A dificuldade de integração entre entes federativos na formulação e na implementação de políticas se faz presente nas diferentes esferas política e administrativa no Brasil, sobretudo no que diz respeito às relações entre instâncias de governo formuladoras de diretrizes no nível nacional e as executoras no nível local. De acordo com a legislação vigente, os municípios são os responsáveis pelas atividades de manejo de resíduos sólidos urbanos (RSU) e limpeza urbana. A Lei Federal no 12.305/2010, que institui a Política Nacional de Resíduos Sólidos (PNRS), estabelece princípios e objetivos, proporcionando um marco para a gestão de RSU no Brasil. Qual é a real capacidade dos municípios de atenderem as determinações da Lei Nacional? Este artigo propõe uma metodologia baseada no método da análise das lacunas e nos dados do Sistema Nacional de Informação sobre Saneamento (Snis), para identificar o grau de implementação da PNRS na Região Metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro. Os resultados mostram um incremento na universalização do serviço nos municípios da RMRJ, mas a maioria dos objetivos da PNRS não só é desconsiderada, como também não possui diretrizes políticas ao nível local para serem encaminhadas e monitoradas. O grau escasso de implementação da lei nacional evidenciado pelos resultados vem sendo interpretado nas conclusões mediante o marco teórico do institucionalismo, o que permite trazer novos questionamentos e possíveis desdobramentos para pesquisas futuras.

Use of Atmospheric Modeling for Megacity Urban Planning: The Case of Temperature Positive Anomalies in the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Area, Brazil

Use of Atmospheric Modeling for Megacity Urban Planning: The Case of Temperature Positive Anomalies in the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Area, Brazil

THE GOVERNMENTAL PERSPECTIVE IN THE URBAN MOBILITY PLAN-MAKING: THE CASE OF PERIPHERAL MUNICIPALITIES OF THE RIO DE JANEIRO METROPOLITAN AREA

This paper analyzes the main challenges of the design and implementation of sustainable urban mobility plans (SUMP) after the law 12,587 in 2012, called the National Urban Mobility Policy (PNMU, in Portuguese). With the new law, municipalities within a population of more than 20,000 inhabitants, as well as those required by law to draw up master plans, are now compelled to elaborate mobility plans. However, only 171 of almost 3,400 municipalities required to prepare the plans were ready by 2015, the first deadline, later extended to 2018. This paper examines a set of municipalities in the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area and tries to understand what are the main challenges to achieving the goal of sustainable mobility and the main differences between the European and the Brazilian governmental perspectives in the subject. A survey on the main barriers was applied in five local entities, and in the state and national levels entities. Four methods of hierarchization were applied. Among the factors that stand out most are the lack of resources to elaborate the plan, lack of integration between levels of government and problems with training and lack of personal in the responsible agencies of the municipalities.

Criminal justice involvement of crack cocaine users in the city of Rio de Janeiro and Greater Metropolitan Area: Implications for public health and the public security agenda

BackgroundThe international literature has expressed different and sometimes contrasting perspectives when addressing criminal involvement by crack cocaine users, highlighting psychopharmacological aspects, the cycles of craving and pressing economic need, and the interplay with overall deprivation and structural violence. The current study aims to identify variables associated with the arrest and imprisonment of regular crack cocaine users. MethodsInterviewees were recruited from open drug scenes in the city of Rio de Janeiro and Greater Metropolitan Area from September 2011 to June 2013. Multilevel logistic regression models were fitted to the data. ResultsMost of the recruited crack cocaine users were male (78.2% [95%CI: 76.3–79.4]), 18–30 years old (64.7% [95%CI: 62.5–66.2]), non-white (92.9% [95%CI: 91.2–93.4]), single (68.9% [95%CI: 66.8–70.3]), and with 0–7 years of schooling (70.6% [95%CI: 68.5–71.9]). Factors independently associated with arrest were history of inpatient addiction treatment (adjOR 4.31 [95%CI: 1.70–11.32]); male gender (adjOR 2.05 [95%CI: 1.40–3.04); polydrug use (adjOR 1.82 [95%CI: 1.32–2.51]); and 0 to 7 years of schooling (adjOR 1.64 [95%CI: 1.17–2.32]). As for the outcome variable lifetime history of incarceration, the independently associated factors were: male gender (adjOR 2.47 [95%CI: 1.74–3.55]) and longer use of crack cocaine and related substances (e.g., free base and local varieties/denominations of coca products) (adjOR 1.05 [95%CI: 1.01–1.10]). ConclusionThe study’s findings support the use of comprehensive multisector interventions, integrating health promotion and mental health rehabilitation, access to quality education, and management of combined/concomitant use of different substances to reduce and/or prevent criminal involvement by individuals that use crack cocaine and other substances, as well as to prevent/manage relapse.

VOC Emissions from a Landfill and the Impact ont Tropospheric Ozone

This paper attempts to demonstrate the impact on tropospheric ozone according to VOC emissions from a landfill, located in the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Area (RJMA) at Niteroi city. It is well known that ozone is formed by the reactions of VOC, NOx and sunlight. The actual situation of this area is a low-medium ozone concentration due to high levels of NOx. The contribution of high VOC values from the landfill emissions will lead to a new situation with higher ozone values. The emissions of Morro do Céu Controlled Landfill (ACMC) (Niterói) were compiled together with meteorological data using OZIPR trajectory model coupled with SAPRC chemical mechanism. The input data for SAPRC were obtained using a VOC speciation by a representative sample collected at December, 2009 above the landfill soil. The samplings were done using evacuated electropolished canisters, and the chemical analyses were done by GC-MS following U.S.EPA TO-15 methodology. The base case used was adjusted for the RJMA using the annual emissions inventory done by INEA (Environmental Agency of Rio de Janeiro State) and the VOC speciation was performed at Rio de Janeiro downtown area. The ozone modeled for RJMA was compared with the ozone modeled for the landfill area, where the differences between the modeling procedures were the VOC speciation and hourly emissions. The results indicated an increase of 27% for ozone in the region of the landfill, indicating that the VOC emissions have to be considered.

Geospatial distribution of intestinal parasitic infections in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and its association with social determinants.

BackgroundIntestinal parasitic infections remain among the most common infectious diseases worldwide. This study aimed to estimate their prevalence and provide a detailed analysis of geographical distribution of intestinal parasites in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro, considering demographic, socio-economic, and epidemiological contextual factors.Methods/Principal findingsThe cross-section survey was conducted among individuals attending the Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases (FIOCRUZ, RJ) during the period from April 2012 to February 2015. Stool samples were collected and processed by sedimentation, flotation, Kato-Katz, Baermann-Moraes and Graham methods, iron haematoxylin staining and safranin staining. Of the 3245 individuals analysed, 569 (17.5%) were infected with at least one parasite. The most common protozoa were Endolimax nana (28.8%), Entamoeba coli (14.8%), Complex Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar (13.5%), Blastocystis hominis (12.7%), and Giardia lamblia (8.1%). Strongyloides stercoralis (4.3%), Schistosoma mansoni (3.3%), Ascaris lumbricoides (1.6%), and hookworms (1.5%) were the most frequent helminths. There was a high frequency of contamination by protozoa (87%), and multiple infections were observed in 141 participants (24.8%). A positive association between age (young children) and gender (male) with intestinal parasites was observed. Geospatial distribution of the detected intestinal parasitic infections was not random or homogeneous, but was influenced by socioeconomic conditions (through the material deprivation index (MDI)). Participants classified in the highest levels of deprivation had higher risk of having intestinal parasites.Conclusions/SignificanceThis study provides the first epidemiological information on the prevalence and distribution of intestinal parasitic infections in the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area. Intestinal parasites, especially protozoa, are highly prevalent, indicating that parasitic infections are still a serious public health problem. MDI showed that intestinal parasites were strongly associated with the socioeconomic status of the population, thus making it possible to identify social vulnerable areas.

Emission of VOC and GHG by Bioremediation of Soil Contaminated with Diesel

Bioremediation processes have been credited for reducing high levels of organic contaminants from soils. However, during bioremediation of diesel contaminated soils, for instance, diesel is converted to volatile organic compounds (VOC) and greenhouse gases (GHG), which means that such remediation technique contributes to the greenhouse effect. The ongoing construction of a large petrochemical industrial region in Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Area (COMPERJ) and the transportation of large volumes of oil byproducts (mainly diesel), have raised deep concerns regarding accidents that may result in soil and air contamination. When the problem comes, remediation techniques shall be applied. The objective of this study was to characterize the emission of GHG and VOC during bioremediation of soils contaminated with diesel oil in pilot scale. Soil samples contaminated with 0.5, 2.0 and 4.0 w/w% diesel oil were kept during 3 months in glass rectors (2 L internal volume) kept under anaerobic/anoxic conditions. The soil moisture was controlled at 80% of field capacity. Bioremediation processes were investigated with nutrient’s adjustment (biostimulation), no adjustment (natural attenuation) and sterilized soil (abiotic process). The gases emitted from different reactors were collected in activated carbon cartridges and the GHG were collected in Tedlar bags. The chemical analyzes were performed using a gas chromatograph (Agilent 7690) with multi-detection using FID for CH4, ECD for N2O and TCD for CO2. VOC were analyzed using a mass spectrometry detector (Varian 450GC MS220). The results indicated that gaseous samples contained high concentrations of CO2 but low concentrations of CH4 and N2O. The differences in composition of the gas emitted from the reactors regarding CO2 were statistically not significant. Preliminarily, regarding VOC emissions, such as alkanes and alkenes (both branched), cycloalkanes, and aromatic substituted (such as ethyl benzene), the compounds with higher emissions were cycloalkanes and branched alkanes.

Fine and Coarse Aerosol at Rio de Janeiro prior to the Olympic Games: Chemical Composition and Source Apportionment

During the period from June 2012 to June 2013, the concentrations and chemical composition of PM2.5 and PM2.5-10 (particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 μm or less and between 2.5 and 10 μm, respectively) were monitored at four sampling points in the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area, and two of the points were in close proximity to the 2016 Olympic Games facilities with a total of 122 samples at each sampling point. At all four sampling stations, the annual mean value of PM10 was above the World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guideline, although frequent violations of the 24 h guideline were observed at only two of the points, Duque de Caxias and Taquara. On the other hand, PM2.5 concentrations at the four sampling points met both the annual and 24 h WHO PM2.5 air quality guidelines. The vehicular contribution to PM2.5 ranged from 48 to 70%, with a mean value of 59 ± 9%. Considering that the Brazilian market already has fuel quality that is comparable to international standards (gasoline S50 and diesel S10), further air quality improvements are expected with investments in a public transport network, urban mobility programs and fleet renewal, which are considered a legacy of the 2016 Olympic Games.

Speciation Analysis of Ozone Precursor Volatile Organic Compounds in the Air Basins of the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Area

Neste trabalho foram determinadas as concentracoes e especiacao dos compostos orgânicos volateis (COVs) precursores de ozonio, na atmosfera das Bacias Aereas I, II, III e IV e da Microbacia Aerea da Zona Sul, na Regiao Metropolitana de Rio de Janeiro. Os COVs foram determinados segundo o Metodo TO-15 da US EPA, usando canisters (botijoes de aco inox eletropolidos) para a amostragem e cromatografia gasosa acoplada a espectrometria de massas e termodessorcao (CG-EM-DT) para injecao e analise quimica das amostras. Foram determinados 52 COVs, na faixa C3-C12, estando os valores medios para a concentracao total de COVs na faixa de 169,32 µg m-3 para a Bacia Aerea II ate 274,62 µg m-3 para a Microbacia Aerea da Zona Sul. A distribuicao massica dos compostos, classificados por grupos quimicos e reatividade dos mesmos, mostram que existem caracteristicas proprias de cada bacia, relacionadas as fontes de emissao. Assim, mesmo existindo eventual transporte de massas de ar entre as diferentes bacias, os resultados sugerem que as bacias apresentam nao so caracteristicas geograficas diferentes, como, tambem, caracteristicas quimicas (composicao do ar) e fisico-quimicas (reatividade e potencial formador de ozonio) diferentes.

Governance Innovations for Access to Basic Services in Urban Slums

With rapid urbanization on a global scale, poverty is increasingly becoming an urban phenomenon. A key component of urban poverty in developing countries is inadequate access to basic services, so understanding the institutional setting for basic service provision is key to addressing this challenge. This paper seeks to explain the institutional and organizational forms of service provision that emerge in developing country cities, where the urban poor living in informal settlements constitute a significant proportion of the urban population. The paper does so by examining the contemporary case of the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area in Brazil, based on fieldwork conducted over the 2007-2014 period, for three key services: electricity, water, and sanitation (sewerage). I argue that the traditional forms of interaction between the state and informal settlements in Rio, based upon pork-barrel politics, have declined due to the absence of law enforcement and subsequent rise of organized crime in these areas, but also because of the emergence of new actors and organizations, including private service providers. Where the state remains the service provider, the decline of pork-barrel politics and the incentives related to public ownership have resulted in a policy of neglect towards informal settlements, significantly limiting access. In some cases, however, I show that private actors are constructing new approaches to service provision through collaboration with community and nonprofit organizations. These approaches entail collaborative forms of governance that have the potential not only to increase access, but to offer an alternative to the existing institutional setup beyond basic service provision. As such, they are of interest not only to scholars and practitioners interested in basic service provision, but more generally for the broader challenge of urban poverty and exclusion in the developing world.

Water supply and hydrosocial scarcity in the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Area

Abstract This paper aims to analyse the water supply systems in the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Area in the light of the hydrosocial scarcity concept and the human right to water. It also assesses how bulk water availability may aggravate this situation. We argue that water access-related problems are directly related to several aspects: the way that water and sanitation services are managed, deficiencies in planning, technical choices, and the way in which existing systems are operated. In addition to these current structural problems, the vulnerability of supply systems also tends to increase in terms of lesser water availability as long as no changes are made in management processes to promote greater water security, as the 2014-2015 drought affecting the Piracicaba and Paraíba do Sul river basins.

Ozone Forming Potential at Rio de Janeiro Petrochemical Complex, Brazil

Air dispersion models have been widely used to investigate air dispersion patterns, to predict emissions behaviour, to estimate potential risks to human health, to develop environmental policies and to evaluate their impact on air quality. This paper considers gaseous pollutants emitted by a petrochemical complex and presents an air dispersion case study using the AERMOD model and the OZIPR trajectory model along with the SAPRC chemical mechanism to evaluate tropospheric ozone formation. The petrochemical complex considered is being installed in the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Area and is planned to start operations in 2016. The present work indicates that nitrogen oxides (NOx) concentrations will likely exceed the primary and secondary Brazilian national standards in some areas. As a result high levels of NOx in the presence of high VOC emissions would contribute to high levels of ozone. DOI: 10.5935/1984-6835.20160071

Commuting patterns in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro. What differences between formal and informal jobs?

Limiting commuting trips in major cities is important from the environmental, social and economic standpoints. In order to design policies that aim to change commuting practices it is, however, necessary to have acquired a good understanding of the trips in question and their determinants. However, these trips have been subjected to very little study in the cities of developing countries. This paper is concerned with the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Area (RJMA), and sets out to test the influence of “classical” socioeconomic and spatial variables on the distance and duration of the commuting trips of the region's inhabitants, especially those with the lowest incomes. The main original feature of this research is that it includes jobs in the informal sector. The results show that, all other things being equal, commuting distances and times are shorter for the informal sector, and people walk more from their homes to their place of work because jobs in the informal sector are more dispersed than jobs in the formal sectors. The notable exception is personal and household services for which employees (who are mainly women) live a long way from the city center where wealthy families (and their jobs) are concentrated.

Hydrocarbon concentration and source appraisal in atmospheric particulate matter (PM₂.₅) of an urban tropical area.

Polycyclic aromatic (46 PAHs) and aliphatic hydrocarbons (C12-C40) were studied in atmospheric particulate matter sampled in Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Area (RJMA). In total, 236 samples from six different sites were collected simultaneously and weekly over 1 year (January-December 2011) allowing a robust atmospheric characterization of fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Hydrocarbon concentration was in general low compared to previous studies in the area (PAHs range 0.25-19.3 ng m(-3)), possibly due to changes in fuel composition over time. Precipitation is the main meteorological parameter that rules particulate and hydrocarbon concentration, modifying PAH typology by scavenging. Aliphatic and aromatic diagnostic ratios gave indications conflicting with combustion features. However, ratios showed differences among sites. Principal component analysis (PCA) associated to multiple linear regressions (MLR) allowed quantitative estimate of sources and effectively indicated vehicular emission as the main hydrocarbon source in the atmospheric particulate matter.

Trends in mortality due to breast cancer among women in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1996-2011

A descriptive time series study was conducted in order to analyze the mortality rates for breast cancer in two age brackets (< 60 years and ≥ 60 years), in areas of the state of Rio de Janeiro (inland, metropolitan area, capital and state). The data source was the Mortality Information System. Mortality rates were analyzed for four-year periods, between 1996 and 2011, and the ratios between the incidences for the two age brackets in each area. The trend in annual mortality rates was analyzed with the Joinpoint program and polynomial regression models. The ratios between the incidences observed were 7-8 times higher in women aged 60 years or older. Joinpoint analyses indicated a linear decline in mortality rates in the state and the capital for the whole population and for women aged 60 and over in the same areas. The polynomial regression models allowed the observation of periods of increasing and decreasing rates and a tendency to stabilization at the end of the period. Despite the declining trend, the magnitude of mortality from breast cancer is still high among women aged 60 and older, and it is important to investigate associated factors in this population group.

Analysis of Explanatory Variables of Rail Ridership: The Situation of Rio de Janeiro

This paper aims to establish, from the variables incorporated in the bibliography, the ones potentially indicated to explain and rate the rail ridership, considering the characteristics and specificities of the suburban trains and stations of Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Area (RJMA) as well as its environment. It will be considered the data of railway branch lines of RJMA and their links, along with the econometric models that will be determined, taking into account the explanatory variables of boarding and landing rates of train stations. Contrary to what is observed in international literature, the HDI (Human Development Index), average income and population variables present low interrelation with the following dependent variables: boarding rate, landing rate and total amount of journeys. The HDI calls our attention because it presents a negative interrelation, which strengths the idea that in Brazil the train offer does not contribute to a human development. The low correlation with the average income and population may explain the low quality of the service and the unattractive image of the train. The variables that present greater explanatory capacity of railway rates were the number of jobs in the area of influence and the numbers of extensions of the train itself. This suggests that in Rio the train plays the role of the transport that will take the employees to their workplaces, highlighting the importance of connectivity to obtain passengers.

(Un)used and (un)usable? The role of indicators in local decision-making. A Brazilian case study

Data and indicators represent a fundamental tool for knowledge-based policies. They are usually produced by agencies operating at the national or supra national level. However, water and sanitation policies are implemented at the local level. Our article addresses the question of data and indicator usability at the municipal level, while investigating water supply and sanitation services. Firstly, we selected a sample of municipalities in the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Area and classified them according to a set of national indicators. Then, we interviewed the person responsible for water and sanitation policies in each municipality. By triangulating qualitative and quantitative data, we found gaps between the indicators produced by national information systems and the data required and employed by local decision-makers. Discussing these results in relation to the literature, we identified gaps and bridges, which could serve as key elements for a governance design baseline with the power to guide future local decision-making processes.

HIV-1 Diversity and Drug Resistance Mutations among People Seeking HIV Diagnosis in Voluntary Counseling and Testing Sites in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The remarkable viral diversity remains a big challenge to the development of HIV vaccines and optimal therapy worldwide. In the latest years, as a consequence of the large expansion of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) availability worldwide, an increase in transmitted drug resistance mutations (TDRM) has been observed, varying according the region. This study assessed HIV-1 diversity and TDRM profile over time among newly HIV-1 diagnosed individuals from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from individuals seeking HIV diagnosis in four voluntary counseling and testing (VCTs) sites located in the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Area, in 2005–2007. Recent (RS) and long-term (LTS) HIV-1 seroconverters were distinguished using BED-CEIA. Pol viral sequences were obtained for 102 LTS identified in 2005 and 144 RS from 2005–2007. HIV-1 subtype and pol recombinant genomes were determined using Rega HIV-1 Subtyping Tool and by phylogenetic inferences and bootscanning analyses. Surveillance of HIV-1 TDRM to protease and reverse transcriptase inhibitors were performed according to the Calibrated Population Resistance (CPR) Tool 6.0. Overall, subtype B remains the most prevalent in Rio de Janeiro in both LTS and RS HIV-1 infected individuals. An increased proportion of recombinant samples was detected over time, especially in RS heterosexual men, due to the emergence of CRF02_AG and URF samples bearing a subtype K fragment. The prevalence of HIV-1 samples carrying TDRM was high and similar between LTS and RS (15.7% vs 14.6%) or age (<25yo 17.9% vs >25yo 16.6%) along the study period. The high resistance levels detected in both populations are of concern, especially considering the dynamics of HIV-1 diversity over time. Our results suggest that the incorporation of resistance testing prior to HAART initiation should be highly considered, as well as permanent surveillance, aiming to carefully monitoring HIV-1 diversity, with focus on CRF/URF emergence and putative transmission.

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and fluoroquinolones Resistant Escherichia Coli in Community-Acquired and Nosocomial Urinary Tract Infections in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

To investigate the multidrug resistance (MDR) patterns of Escherichia coli causative of urinary tract infections (UTI) in patients attending a tertiary university hospital of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by the disk diffusion method. MDR, extensively-resistance (XDR) and pan-resistance (PDR) were defined by using recently described criteria. Retrospective analyses of clinical, microbiological and demographic features of outpatients and inpatients with UTI (n=416) were also performed. High antibiotic resistance rates for trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole - SXT-TMP (n=177; 46.7%) and fluoroquinolones - FQ [n=117; norfloxacin (27%) and ciprofloxacin (26.8%) – (FQ) were demonstrated for E. coli strains isolated from community and healthcare-onsets. Risk factors associated with UTIs due to MDR E. coli isolates included prior three-month hospitalization (OR: 2.4; CI 95%: 1.3-4.4; p<0.005), presence of neurogenic bladder (OR: 3.7; CI 95% :1.7-8.3; p<0.01 ) and kidney transplantation (OR: 3.1; CI 95%:1-0.5; p<0.04). A high prevalence of community-acquired and nosocomial urinary tract infections due SXT-TMP/ FQ resistant E. coli strains was observed in Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area, Brazil. According to IDSA Guidelines, initial empirical therapy for community-associated UTI with SXT-TMP and FQ should be avoided in Rio de Janeiro. Nitrofurantoin, amoxicillin/clavulanic, piperacillin/tazobactam or gentamicin associations were effective for the empiric therapy for community-acquired and healthcare-associated UTIs, respectively.

Corynebacterium ulcerans isolates from humans and dogs: fibrinogen, fibronectin and collagen-binding, antimicrobial and PFGE profiles

Corynebacterium ulcerans has been increasingly isolated as an emerging zoonotic agent of diphtheria and other infections from companion animals. Since pets are able to act as symptomless carriers, it is also essential to identify virulence potential for humans of these isolates. In this work the ability of C. ulcerans to bind to fibrinogen (Fbg), fibronectin (Fn) and Type I collagen as well the genetic relationship among strains isolated from human and asymptomatic dogs in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) were analyzed. Five pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) profiles were demonstrated (I, II, III, IV and V). In addition, the IV and V profiles exhibiting ≥85% similarity were expressed by the BR-AD41 and BR-AD61 strains from companion dogs living in the same neighborhood. Independent of the PFGE-types, human and dog isolates showed affinity to Fbg, Fn and collagen. Heterogeneity of PFGE profiles indicated endemicity of C. ulcerans in the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area. Differences in the expression of adhesins to the human extracellular matrix may contribute to variations in the virulence and zoonotic potential of C. ulcerans strains.