Overview
Background
I’m a clinician–researcher in infectious diseases, focusing on improving the prevention, detection, and control of high-burden and neglected infections through operational research and implementation science. My work spans hospital infection prevention (quality improvement collaborative) and community-based surveillance for diseases, including leprosy, lymphatic filariasis, and arboviruses.
At The University of Queensland (ODeSI, UQ Centre for Clinical Research), I support decision-making for infectious disease programs, translating routinely collected data and field evidence into actionable strategies. In Brazil, I lead and contribute to multi-site initiatives with PROADI-SUS hospitals and the Ministry of Health, including developing national guidelines and designing pragmatic trials.
Key expertise
- Infectious disease epidemiology, surveillance, and outbreak analytics
- Implementation research and quality improvement collaboratives
- Pragmatic trials (e.g., cluster stepped-wedge designs) and diagnostic evaluation
- Health technology assessment and micro-costing evidence.
Availability
- Dr Sebastian Vernal Carranza is:
- Available for supervision
Qualifications
- Diploma of Medicine, Universidad de Valparaíso
- Doctoral Diploma of Clinical Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo (USP)
- Postgraduate Diploma of Infectious Diseases, Universidade de São Paulo (USP)
Research interests
-
Neglected Tropical Diseases
Research impacts
My research provides practical tools and evidence to help health services and governments prevent infections, allocate resources efficiently, and strengthen surveillance—particularly in high-burden, resource-constrained settings.
A major focus of my work is translating quality-improvement methods into measurable patient-safety gains in intensive care. I coordinate research for a nationwide collaborative designed to reduce healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in ICUs, supporting implementation at scale and generating economic evidence to inform investment decisions.
Evidence of impact
-
Sustained research translation and reach through 52 peer-reviewed publications (676 citations; h-index 15)
Works
Search Professor Sebastian Vernal Carranza’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Journal Article
Estimating the savings of a national project to prevent healthcare-associated infections in intensive care units
Oliveira, R. M. C., de Sousa, A. H. F., de Salvo, M. A., Petenate, A. J., Gushken, A. K. F., Ribas, E., Torelly, E. M. S., Silva, K. C. C. D., Bass, L. M., Tuma, P., Borem, P., Ue, L. Y., de Barros, C. G. and Vernal, S. (2024). Estimating the savings of a national project to prevent healthcare-associated infections in intensive care units. Journal of Hospital Infection, 143, 8-17. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2023.10.001
2023
Journal Article
Adapting lean management to prevent healthcare-associated infections: a low-cost strategy involving Kamishibai cards to sustain bundles' compliance
Saavedra Bravo, Marco Antonio, Silva Dias Santos, Guilherme Cesar, Petenate, Ademir Jose, Westphal, Patrick Jacobsen, de Albuquerque Souza, Luciana Gouvea, Marques, Roberta Goncalves, Moura Morosov, Erica Deji, Fujinami Gushken, Andrea Keiko, Franco, Flavia Fernanda, Silva, Wladimir Garcia, de Moura, Rafaela Moraes, de Lima, Andreia Lopes, dos Santos, Renata Gonsalez, Andrade, Karina de Carvalho, Susin Hamada, Andreza Pivato, Reis Cristalda, Cristiane Maria, Ue, Luciana Yumi, de Barros, Claudia Garcia and Vernal, Sebastian (2023). Adapting lean management to prevent healthcare-associated infections: a low-cost strategy involving Kamishibai cards to sustain bundles' compliance. International Journal for Quality in Health Care, 35 (4) mzad100. doi: 10.1093/intqhc/mzad100
2023
Journal Article
The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on a national project preventing healthcare-associated infections in intensive care units
Tuma, Paula, Vieira Junior, Jose M., Ribas, Elenara, Silva, Karen C. C. D., Gushken, Andrea K. F., Torelly, Ethel M. S., de Moura, Rafaela M., Tavares, Bruno M., Prandini, Cristiana M., Borem, Paulo, Delgado, Pedro, Ue, Luciana Y., de Barros, Claudia G. and Vernal, Sebastian (2023). The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on a national project preventing healthcare-associated infections in intensive care units. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, 44 (12), 2071-2073. doi: 10.1017/ice.2023.146
2023
Journal Article
Dexamethasone-cyclophosphamide pulse therapy outcomes comparing pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus groups in a Brazilian cohort study
Fontenelle, Ludmilla Figueiredo, Bueno-Filho, Roberto, Vernal, Sebastián, Delfino, Renata, Barbosa, Giovanna Stefanne Lópes, Donadi, Eduardo Antonio and Roselino, Ana Maria (2023). Dexamethasone-cyclophosphamide pulse therapy outcomes comparing pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus groups in a Brazilian cohort study. Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia, 98 (6), 774-780. doi: 10.1016/j.abd.2022.11.005
2023
Journal Article
Patient safety culture in South America: a cross-sectional study
Pedroso, Aline Cristina, Fernandes, Fernanda Paulino, Tuma, Paula, Vernal, Sebastian, Pellizzari, Marcelo, Seisdedos, Mariana Graciela, Prieto, Constanza, Wilckens, Bernd Oberpaur, Villamizar, Omar Javier Salamanca, Olaya, Lilian Arlette Castaneda, Delgado, Pedro and Cendoroglo Neto, Miguel (2023). Patient safety culture in South America: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open Quality, 12 (4) e002362. doi: 10.1136/bmjoq-2023-002362
2023
Journal Article
Pemphigus vulgaris associated with nasoseptal perforation, ocular conjunctival herpes infection and milia formation
Vernal, Sebastian, Bueno-Filho, Roberto, Hashimoto, Takashi and Roselino, Ana Maria (2023). Pemphigus vulgaris associated with nasoseptal perforation, ocular conjunctival herpes infection and milia formation. Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia, 98 (4), 550-552. doi: 10.1016/j.abd.2021.09.019
2023
Journal Article
Effectiveness and safety of multidrug therapy containing clofazimine for paucibacillary leprosy and clarithromycin for rifampicin-resistant leprosy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Montezuma, Thais, Vernal, Sebastian, Andrade, Elaine Nascimento, Brandao, Jurema Guerrieri, de Oliveira, Gustavo Laine Araujo and Gomes, Ciro Martins (2023). Effectiveness and safety of multidrug therapy containing clofazimine for paucibacillary leprosy and clarithromycin for rifampicin-resistant leprosy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Medicine, 10 1139304. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1139304
2023
Journal Article
A national implementation project to prevent healthcare-associated infections in intensive care units: a collaborative initiative using the breakthrough series model
Tuma, Paula, Vieira Jr, Jose M., Ribas, Elenara, Silva, Karen C. C. D., Gushken, Andrea K. F., Torelly, Ethel M. S., de Moura, Rafaela M., Tavares, Bruno M., Prandini, Cristiana M., Borem, Paulo, Delgado, Pedro, Ue, Luciana Y., de Barros, Claudia G. and Vernal, Sebastian (2023). A national implementation project to prevent healthcare-associated infections in intensive care units: a collaborative initiative using the breakthrough series model. Open Forum Infectious Diseases, 10 (4) ofad129. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofad129
2022
Journal Article
Bullous pemphigoid and milia: prevalence and clinical laboratory findings in a Brazilian sample
Vernal, Sebastián, Oliveira, Ederson Valei de, Bueno Filho, Roberto, Julio, Tamiris A., Donadi, Eduardo A., Turatti, Aline, Ishii, Norito, Hashimoto, Takashi and Roselino, Ana Maria (2022). Bullous pemphigoid and milia: prevalence and clinical laboratory findings in a Brazilian sample. Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia, 97 (4), 435-442. doi: 10.1016/j.abd.2021.10.003
2022
Journal Article
Adherence to non-pharmacological preventive measures among healthcare workers in a middle-income country during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: hospital and community setting
Costa, Silvia Figueiredo, Vernal, Sebastian, Giavina-Bianchi, Pedro, Mesquita Peres, Carlos Henrique, dos Santos, Lanuse G.D., Santos, Roseli E.B., Santos, Rita C.C., Francisco, Maria Cristina P.B., Satie, Fatima M., dal Secco, Ligia M., Pivetta Cora, Aline, dos santos, Carolina Lazari, Duarte, Alberto Jose da Silva, Oliveira Bonfá, Eloisa Silva Dutra de, Perreira, Antonio Jose, Sabino, Ester Cedeira, Segurado, Aluisio Cotrin and Levin, Anna Sara (2022). Adherence to non-pharmacological preventive measures among healthcare workers in a middle-income country during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: hospital and community setting. American Journal of Infection Control, 50 (6), 707-711. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2021.12.004
2022
Journal Article
Autoantibodies against desmoglein 2 are not pathogenic in pemphigus
Miguel, Marcela Calixto Brandão, Julio, Tamiris Amanda, Vernal, Sebastian, de Paula, Natália Aparecida, Lieber, Andre and Roselino, Ana Maria (2022). Autoantibodies against desmoglein 2 are not pathogenic in pemphigus. Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia, 97 (2), 145-156. doi: 10.1016/j.abd.2021.06.004
2021
Journal Article
Leprosy detection rate in patients under immunosuppression for the treatment of dermatological, rheumatological, and gastroenterological diseases: a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis
Barroso, Daniel Holanda, Brandão, Jurema Guerrieri, Andrade, Elaine Silva Nascimento, Correia, Ana Clara Banhatto, Aquino, Danielle Costa, Chen, Ana Carolina Rios, Vernal, Sebastian, de Araújo, Wildo Navegantes, da Mota, Lícia Maria Henrique, Sampaio, Raimunda Nonata Ribeiro, Kurizky, Patrícia Shu and Gomes, Ciro Martins (2021). Leprosy detection rate in patients under immunosuppression for the treatment of dermatological, rheumatological, and gastroenterological diseases: a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis. BMC Infectious Diseases, 21 (1) 347, 1-9. doi: 10.1186/s12879-021-06041-7
2021
Journal Article
Geoclimatic, demographic and socioeconomic characteristics related to dengue outbreaks in Southeastern Brazil: an annual spatial and spatiotemporal risk model over a 12-year period
Vernal, Sebastian, Nahas, Andressa K., Neto, Francisco Chiaravalloti, Prete Junior, Carlos A., Cortez, Andre L., Sabino, Ester Cerdeira and Luna, Expedito Jose de Albuquerque (2021). Geoclimatic, demographic and socioeconomic characteristics related to dengue outbreaks in Southeastern Brazil: an annual spatial and spatiotemporal risk model over a 12-year period. Revista Do Instituto De Medicina Tropical De Sao Paulo, 63 e70, 1-9. doi: 10.1590/S1678-9946202163070
2020
Journal Article
Pemphigus foliaceus and sand fly bites: assessing the humoral immune response to the salivary proteins maxadilan and LJM11
Vernal, S., De Paula, N. A., Bollela, V. R., Lerner, E. A. and Roselino, A. M. (2020). Pemphigus foliaceus and sand fly bites: assessing the humoral immune response to the salivary proteins maxadilan and LJM11. British Journal of Dermatology, 183 (5), 958-960. doi: 10.1111/bjd.19221
2020
Journal Article
RNA-sequencing of the Nyssomyia neivai sialome: a sand fly-vector from a Brazilian endemic area for tegumentary leishmaniasis and pemphigus foliaceus
Vernal, Sebastian, Oliveira, Fabiano, Oliveira, Wanderson H. C., Goulart, Thais M., Oristian, James, Calvo, Eric, Pinto, Mara C., Roselino, Ana Maria and Ribeiro, Jose M. C. (2020). RNA-sequencing of the Nyssomyia neivai sialome: a sand fly-vector from a Brazilian endemic area for tegumentary leishmaniasis and pemphigus foliaceus. Scientific Reports, 10 (1) 17664, 1-18. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-74343-y
2020
Journal Article
A comprehensive systematic review of leishmaniasis in patients undergoing drug-induced immunosuppression for the treatment of dermatological, rheumatological and gastroenterological diseases
Kurizky, Patricia Shu, Marianelli, Fernanda Ferraro, Cesetti, Mariana Vicente, Damiani, Giovanni, Ribeiro Sampaio, Raimunda Nonata, Tanaka Goncalves, Lais Mitsue, Felipe de Sousa, Carlos Augusto, Martins, Sofia Sales, Vernal, Sebastian, Henrique da Mota, Licia Maria and Gomes, Ciro Martins (2020). A comprehensive systematic review of leishmaniasis in patients undergoing drug-induced immunosuppression for the treatment of dermatological, rheumatological and gastroenterological diseases. Revista Do Instituto De Medicina Tropical De Sao Paulo, 62 e28. doi: 10.1590/S1678-9946202062028
2020
Journal Article
Tegumentary leishmaniasis mimicking visceralization in a cirrhotic patient: atypical cutaneous lesions and local immunological features
Vernal, Sebastian, Casal, Yuri, Vieira, Lucas T., Amato, Valdir S., Duarte, Maria Irma S. and Nastri, Ana Catharina S. S. (2020). Tegumentary leishmaniasis mimicking visceralization in a cirrhotic patient: atypical cutaneous lesions and local immunological features. Revista Da Sociedade Brasileira De Medicina Tropical, 53 e20190380, 1-4. doi: 10.1590/0037-8682-0380-2019
2019
Journal Article
Diagnostic accuracy of tests for leprosy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Gurung, P., Gomes, C. M., Vernal, S. and Leeflang, M. M. G. (2019). Diagnostic accuracy of tests for leprosy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 25 (11), 1315-1327. doi: 10.1016/j.cmi.2019.05.020
2019
Journal Article
Clinico-immunological spectrum of American tegumentary leishmaniasis and leprosy coinfection: a case series in Southeastern Brazil
Vernal, Sebastian, Bueno-Filho, Roberto, Gomes, Ciro Martins and Roselino, Ana Maria (2019). Clinico-immunological spectrum of American tegumentary leishmaniasis and leprosy coinfection: a case series in Southeastern Brazil. Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical, 52 e20180172, 52. doi: 10.1590/0037-8682-0172-2018
2019
Journal Article
Oropouche virus-associated aseptic meningoencephalitis, Southeastern Brazil
Vernal, Sebastian, Martini, Camila C R and da Fonseca, Benedito A L (2019). Oropouche virus-associated aseptic meningoencephalitis, Southeastern Brazil. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 25 (2), 380-382. doi: 10.3201/eid2502.181189
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Sebastian Vernal Carranza is:
- Available for supervision
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