Hepatitis C: evaluation of outcomes and georeferencing of cases in Santa Cruz do Sul, Brazil, between 2002 and 2015. A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus infection is one of the main causes of chronic liver disease, with high death rates. The aim here was to analyze case outcomes, sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and spatial distribution among patients diagnosed with hepatitis C in the city of Santa Cruz do Sul (RS), Brazil. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study on 200 cases of hepatitis C in Santa Cruz do Sul that were notified between 2002 and 2015. METHODS: Secondary data including sociodemographic and clinical variables and type of outcome (death, follow-up, abandonment or clinical cure) were gathered. The spatial distribution analysis on hepatitis C virus cases according to outcome was based on information regarding residential address. RESULTS: 58.5% of the patients were 41 years of age and over, 67% were males and 92.5% had the chronic form of the disease. The most frequent transmission route was illicit drug injection (29%); 15.1% of the patients presented coinfection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Regarding outcomes, 31% achieved clinical cure, 10% died and 20% abandoned follow-up. The cases studied were mainly located in regions of the city characterized by lower socioeconomic status, with high frequency of places used for drug trafficking. CONCLUSION: The population consisted of adults aged 41 years and over, mostly with chronic hepatitis C. The most common transmission routes were illicit drug injection and blood transfusions. There were high rates of HIV coinfection and abandonment of disease monitoring and predominance of cases in neighborhoods with low socioeconomic status.

Latent tuberculosis among professionals from a referral hospital in oncology

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is an ancient contagious disease, and continues to be the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among infectious contagious diseases. It can be considered an occupational infectious disease when it happens in health professionals. These professionals are directly exposed to TB and are considered to be a high risk population for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and active TB. The primary aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of LTBI among the clinical and administrative staff of an oncology referral hospital in Rio Grande do Sul. The secondary aim of this study was evaluate tuberculin skin test (TST) conversion rate and the risk factors for TST positivity in this population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in a retrospective cohort with data collected in March 2013 and March 2014. Data of professionals from different hospital units were included. Those with induration ≥ 10 mm were considered as reactors, and conversion rate was assessed by an increase ≥ 10 mm in induration in the second TST compared with the first one. Results: Among the 225 professionals evaluated in 2013, 135 (60%) were reactors and 90 (40%) were non-reactors. The mean age was 32.9 (± 9.55), 176 (78.22%) were female, and most of the reactors worked in the hospital for 4 years or less. Non-reactors in 2013 were recommended to repeat the test in 2014, and the conversion rate was 9.37%. There was no significant difference in prevalence among the different professional categories, and the assessed risk factors were not associated with ILTB. Conclusions: The prevalence of LTBI in the study population was high, reinforcing the need to implement effective control measures to prevent LTBI in the hospital where the study was conducted (AU)