COVID-19 clinical manifestations in children and adolescents admitted to intensive care in the city of São Carlos, Brazil: a case series / Manifestações clínicas da COVID-19 em crianças e adolescentes admitidos para terapia intensiva na cidade de São Carlos: uma série de casos

INTRODUCTION: Children with COVID-19 may be asymptomatic or present a heterogeneous clinical presentation. The present case series aimed to report clinical manifestations of COVID-19 in children and adolescents admitted to pediatric intensive care units (PICU) in the city of São Carlos, Brazil, during 2020 and 2021. REPORTS: The subjects were six children aged 3 months to 13 years, with COVID-19. The data were collected from electronic charts. All cases were domestic contact with a COVID-19 case. Two cases had multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) and one had jaundice and ascites. One case had a seizure. One case required invasive ventilation and two cases presented gastrointestinal symptoms. There were no deaths in the cases. The length of PICU stays varied from one to 16 days. CONCLUSION: In the six cases reported, COVID-19 clinical manifestations in children and adolescents who required intensive care in São Carlos revealed a heterogeneous presentation and no lethality. It is worth emphasizing that a history of contact with a symptomatic respiratory person should guide the suspicion of COVID-19 in children and indicate a proper follow-up, as COVID-19 may be severe in this population.

INTRODUÇÃO: Crianças com COVID-19 podem ser assintomáticas ou podem ter apresentação clínica heterogênea. O objetivo desta série de casos foi relatar as manifestações clínicas da COVID-19 em crianças e adolescentes internados em unidade de terapia intensiva pediátrica (UTIP) na cidade de São Carlos, Brasil, durante 2020 e 2021. RELATOS: Os casos foram seis crianças com idade entre 3 meses e 13 anos, com COVID-19. Os dados foram coletados do prontuário eletrônico. Todos os casos foram contactantes domiciliares de algum caso de COVID-19. Dois casos se apresentaram como síndrome multissistêmica inflamatória (MIS-C), sendo um destes com icterícia e ascite. Um caso manifestou convulsão. Um caso necessitou de ventilação mecânica invasiva e dois casos apresentaram sintomas gastrointestinais. Não foi observado óbito entre os casos e o tempo de permanência na UTIP variou de 0 a 16 dias. CONCLUSÃO: Nos seis casos relatados, a COVID-19 revelou manifestações clínicas variadas, com rápida resolução e não foi observado óbito. É importante enfatizar que a história de contato com uma pessoa sintomática respiratória deveria guiar a suspeita de COVID-19 em crianças e indicar acompanhamento, uma vez que esta doença pode ser grave nesta população.

Description of the dermatoscopic features observed in sporotrichosis and American cutaneous leishmaniasis in a reference center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract Background The evaluation of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and sporotrichosis (SP) with dermoscopy may improve the diagnosis accuracy and clinical monitoring. Objectives To describe the dermoscopic findings and patterns of skin lesions of patients with CL and SP followed up at the Laboratory of Clinical Research and Surveillance in Leishmaniasis (LaPClinVigiLeish), Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases (INI), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Methods The authors included patients with a diagnosis of CL or SP, who attended at INI/ Fiocruz, between 2019‒2021. All patients had 3 dermoscopic examinations (DermLite DL4): before treatment (T0), during treatment (T1), and after healing (T2). Up to three lesions per patient were evaluated. Results The authors studied 47 patients with CL (74 lesions), and 19 patients with SP (24 lesions). The authors described dermoscopic structures such as rosettes, white lines, white dots, brown focal structureless areas, brown lines and dots, white perilesional circles, perilesional hyperchromic circles, microulcerations and the rainbow patterns. The authors created specific patterns; in CL: CL-T0 "central yellow scales with a white perilesional circle pattern", CL-T1 "diffuse structureless white area pattern" and CL-T2 "white and brown focal structureless areas pattern". In SP: SP-T0 the "pustule with erythema pattern"; SP-T1 the "focal structureless white areas with erythema pattern" and SP-T2 the "white linear pattern". Study limitations This study does not correlate dermoscopic findings with time of disease evolution at the first medical examination. Conclusions The recognition of CL and SP dermoscopy patterns may be helpful tool for the differential diagnosis and monitoring of disease evolution.

Functional capacity and rehabilitation strategies in Covid-19 patients: current knowledge and challenges

Abstract Covid-19 is a novel infectious disease whose spectrum of presentation ranges from absence of symptoms to widespread interstitial pneumonia associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), leading to significant mortality. Given the systemic pattern of Covid-19, there are many factors that can influence patient's functional capacity after acute infection and the identification of such factors can contribute to the development of specific rehabilitation strategies. Pulmonary impairment is the primary cause of hospitalization due to Covid-19, and can progress to SARS as well as increase length of hospitalization. Moreover, cardiac involvement is observed in approximately 30% of hospitalized patients, with an increased risk of acute myocarditis, myocardial injury, and heart failure, which may compromise functional capacity in the long-term. Thromboembolic complications have also been reported in some patients with Covid-19 and are associated with a poor prognosis. Musculoskeletal complications may result from long periods of hospitalization and immobility, and can include fatigue, muscle weakness and polyneuropathy. Studies that address the functional capacity of patients after Covid-19 infection are still scarce. However, based on knowledge from the multiple systemic complications associated with Covid-19, it is reasonable to suggest that most patients, especially those who underwent prolonged hospitalization, will need a multiprofessional rehabilitation program. Further studies are needed to evaluate the functional impact and the rehabilitation strategies for patients affected by Covid-19.

Good response to pentamidine isethionate in a case of Mucosal Leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis that was difficult to treat: Case Report

Abstract In Brazil, meglumine antimoniate is the first drug of choice for mucosal leishmaniasis treatment followed by amphotericin B and pentamidine isethionate. We report the case of a patient with severe mucosal lesions caused by Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis that were difficult to treat. Over a 14-year period, the patient showed low adherence and three treatment attempts with meglumine antimoniate failed. Additionally, there was an unsatisfactory response to liposomal amphotericin B and nephrotoxicity when using amphotericin B deoxycholate that persisted after new treatment attempt with liposomal amphotericin B. Finally, healing was achieved with pentamidine isethionate and maintained during nine months of monitoring.

Favorable responses to treatment with 5 mg Sbv/kg/day meglumine antimoniate in patients with American tegumentary leishmaniasis acquired in different Brazilian regions

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Favorable responses in American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) patients to treatment with 5 mg Sbv/kg/day meglumine antimoniate (MA) has been reported in Rio de Janeiro, but little is known regarding the therapeutic response to low doses in patients from other locations. METHODS: A retrospective review of medical records was conducted to compare the therapeutic response to 5 mg Sbv/kg/day MA treatment among 36 patients who acquired ATL in Brazilian states other than Rio de Janeiro (OS group) and 72 patients from Rio de Janeiro (RJ group). RESULTS: One course of 5 mg Sbv/kg/day MA cured 72.8% of 81 cutaneous (CL) and 66.6% of 27 mucosal (ML) leishmaniasis-infected patients: 70% in the CL/RJ group, 81% in the CL/OS group, 50% in the ML/RJ group, and 80% in the ML/OS group. After up to two additional treatment courses at the same dose, 88.9% and 85.2% of the CL and ML patients were cured, respectively. Adverse events were observed in 40% of patients in the CL/RJ group, 57% of the CL/OS group, 58% of the ML/RJ group, and 80% of the ML/OS group. No significant differences were observed in the cure rates or adverse effects between the RJ and OS groups. No patients required permanent discontinuation of treatment due to adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ATL acquired in both RJ and OS may respond to low-dose MA. While high-dose MA should remain the standard treatment for ATL, low-dose MA might be preferred when toxicity is a primary concern.

Low dose systemic or intralesional meglumine antimoniate treatment for American tegumentary leishmaniasis results in low lethality, low incidence of relapse, and low late mucosal involvement in a referral centre in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2001-2013)

BACKGROUND American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) is a non-lethal parasitic disease that presents with cutaneous (CL) and mucosal (ML) clinical forms. ATL treatment aims at healing the lesions and preventing the development of the late mucosal form. Systemic meglumine antimoniate (MA) therapy with 10-20 mg Sb5+/kg/day is the first choice of treatment. However, alternative therapies using 5 mg Sb5+/kg/day or intralesional (IL) MA are the usual regimens at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. OBJECTIVES To evaluate lethality and the incidence of relapse and development of late ML in CL patients treated at NIID from 2001 until 2013. METHODS Data were recovered from records of all ATL patients diagnosed during that period. FINDINGS Out of 777 patients, 753 were treated with MA (96.9%). Of those, 89.1% received alternative therapy of 9.9% IL and 79.2% systemic 5 mg Sb5+/kg/day. Some patients required 1-3 additional courses of treatment, thus making a total of 997 courses; 85.2% of them were subjected to alternative therapies. Lethality was 0.1%, relapse incidence 5.8%, and late ML incidence 0.25%. As a final outcome for the 777 patients, 95.9% were cured, 0.1% died and 4.0% were not able to follow-up. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Alternative MA schedules resulted in low lethality without increase of relapse or late ML incidence.

Sporotrichoid leishmaniasis: a cross-sectional clinical, epidemiological and laboratory study in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

ABSTRACT Background Atypical presentations of cutaneous leishmaniasis include sporotrichoid leishmaniasis (SL), which is clinically described as a primary ulcer combined with lymphangitis and nodules and/or ulcerated lesions along its pathway. Aims To assess the differences between patients with sporotrichoid leishmaniasis and typical cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Methods From January 2004 to December 2010, 23 cases of SL (4.7%) were detected among 494 CL patients diagnosed at a reference center for the disease in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. These 23 cases were compared with the remaining 471 patients presenting CL. Results SL predominated in female patients (60.9%, p = 0.024), with older age (p = 0.032) and with lesions in upper limbs (52.2%, p = 0.028). CL affected more men (64.5%), at younger age, and with a higher number of lesions exclusively in lower limbs (34.8%). Conclusions Differences in clinical and epidemiological presentation were found between SL patients as compared to CL ones, in a region with a known predominance of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. The results are similar to the features of most of the sporotrichosis patients as described in literature, making the differential diagnosis between ATL and sporotrichosis more important in overlapping areas for both diseases, like in Rio de Janeiro State.

First report onoototoxicity of meglumine antimoniate / Primeiro relato de ototoxicidade pelo antimoniato de meglumina

Introduction: Pentavalent antimonials are the first drug of choice in the treatment of tegumentary leishmaniasis. Data on ototoxicity related with such drugs is scarcely available in literature, leading us to develop a study on cochleovestibular functions. Case Report: A case of a tegumentary leishmaniasis patient, a 78-year-old man who presented a substantial increase in auditory threshold with tinnitus and severe rotatory dizziness during the treatment with meglumine antimoniate, is reported. These symptoms worsened in two weeks after treatment was interrupted. Conclusion: Dizziness and tinnitus had already been related to meglumine antimoniate. However, this is the first well documented case of cochlear-vestibular toxicity related to meglumine antimoniate.

Introdução: Antimoniais pentavalentes são os fármacos de primeira escolha no tratamento da leishmaniose tegumentar. Dados de ototoxicidade relacionados a tais fármacos são escassos na literatura, o que nos levou a desenvolver um estudo de funções cócleo-vestibulares. Relato de caso: Relatamos caso de paciente masculino de 78 anos com leishmaniose tegumentar, que apresentou aumento significativo dos limiares auditivos com zumbido e tontura rotatória grave durante o tratamento com antimoniato de meglumina. Os sintomas pioraram até duas semanas após a interrupção do tratamento. Conclusão: Tontura e zumbido já tinham sido associados ao antimoniato de meglumina. Entretanto, este é o primeiro caso bem documentado de toxicidade cócleo-vestibular relacionado ao antimoniato de meglumina.

Resolution of cttaneous leishmaniasis after acue eczema due to intralesional mmeglumine antimoniate / Resolução de leishmaniose cutânea após eczema agudo devido a antimoniato de meglumina intralesional

We report a case of a 42 year-old female, who came to a leishmaniasis reference center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, presenting a cutaneous leishmaniasis lesion in the right forearm. Treatment with low-dose intramuscular meglumine antimoniate (MA) (5 mg Sb5+/kg/day) was initiated, with improvement after 28 days, although with the development of generalized eczema. After 87 days, the lesion worsened. Patient refused treatment with amphotericin B. MA was then infiltrated in the lesion, in two sessions, resulting in local eczema, with bullae formation; however, twenty days after, both the ulcer and eczema receded. Intralesional administration of MA should be used carefully when previous cutaneous hypersensitivity is detected.

Relatamos caso de paciente de 42 anos atendida em centro de referência em leishmanioses no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, apresentando lesão de leishmaniose cutânea no antebraço direito. Iniciado tratamento com baixa dose de antimoniato de meglumina (AM) intramuscular (5 mg Sb5+/kg/dia), houve melhora após 28 dias, porém com desenvolvimento de eczema generalizado. Após 87 dias, notou-se piora da lesão. A paciente recusou o tratamento com anfotericina B. Infiltrou-se AM na lesão em duas sessões, resultando em eczema local com bolhas. Entretanto, 20 dias depois, tanto a úlcera quanto o eczema regrediram. A administração intralesional do AM deve ser utilizada com cautela em pacientes com hipersensibilidade cutânea a este fármaco.

Factors associaeed to adherence to different tratment schemes with meglumine aantimoniate in a clinical trial for cutaneous leishmaniasis / Fatores associados à adesão a diferentes esquemas de tratamento com antimoniato de meglumina em ensaio clínico para leishmaniose cutânea

The favorable outcome of the treatment of a disease is influenced by the adherence to therapy. Our objective was to assess factors associated with adherence to treatment of patients included in a clinical trial of equivalence between the standard and alternative treatment schemes with meglumine antimoniate (MA) in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Between 2008 and 2011, 57 patients with CL were interviewed using a questionnaire to collect socioeconomic data. The following methods were used for adherence monitoring: counting of vial surplus, monitoring card, Morisky test and modified Morisky test (without the question regarding the schedule); we observed 82.1% (vial return), 86.0% (monitoring card), 66.7% (Morisky test) and 86.0% (modified Morisky test) adherence. There was a strong correlation between the method of vial counting and the monitoring card and modified Morisky test. A significant association was observed between greater adherence to treatment and low dose of MA, as well as with a lower number of people sleeping in the same room. We recommend the use of the modified Morisky test to assess adherence to treatment of CL with MA, because it is a simple method and with a good performance, when compared to other methods.

O desfecho favorável ao tratamento de uma enfermidade é influenciado pela adesão à terapia. Objetivamos avaliar fatores associados à adesão ao tratamento dos pacientes incluídos em ensaio clínico de equivalência entre o esquema de tratamento padrão e alternativos com antimoniato de meglumina (AM) no tratamento da leishmaniose cutânea (LC) no estado do Rio de Janeiro. Entre 2008 e 2011, 57 pacientes com LC foram entrevistados através de questionário para coleta de dados socioeconômicos. Para monitorização da adesão foram utilizados os seguintes métodos: contagem de ampolas excedentes, cartão de acompanhamento, teste de Morisky e teste de Morisky modificado (sem a pergunta referente ao horário). Observou-se adesão de 82,1% (devolução de ampolas), 86,0% (cartão de acompanhamento), 66,7% (teste de Morisky) e 86,0% (teste de Morisky modificado). Houve forte concordância entre o método contagem de ampolas e cartão de acompanhamento, bem como teste de Morisky modificado. Verificou-se associação significativa entre maior adesão ao tratamento e baixa dose de AM, bem como com menor número de pessoas dormindo no mesmo quarto. Recomendamos a utilização do teste de Morisky modificado na avaliação da adesão ao tratamento da LC com AM por ser método simples e com bom desempenho quando comparado aos outros testes.

Evaluation of polymerase chain reaction in the routine diagnosis for tegumentary leishmaniasis in a referral centre

The present study investigated the diagnostic value of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) performed in parallel to conventional methods at an American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) referral centre for diagnosis. Accuracy parameters for PCR were calculated using 130 patients with confirmed ATL (ATL group), 15 patients established with other diseases and 23 patients with a lesion suggestive of ATL, but without parasitological confirmation (NDEF group). PCR showed 92.3 percent sensitivity, 93.3 percent specificity, a 99.2 percent positive predictive value and a 13.84 positive likelihood ratio. In the NDEF group, PCR confirmed ATL in 13 of the 23 patients, seven of whom responded to leishmaniasis treatment and six who presented spontaneous healing of the lesion. PCR should be included in the routine diagnostic procedures for ATL, especially for cases found to be negative by conventional methods.

Triagem auditiva em idosos: comparacão entre auto-relato e audiometria / Auditory screening in the elderly: comparison between self-report and audiometry

Apesar da alta prevalência entre idosos, a perda auditiva é pouco investigada. A audiometria é o teste padrão ouro para avaliacão de perda auditiva, mas sua realizacão em larga escala traz dificuldades operacionais. O auto-relato pode ser uma alternativa. OBJETIVO: Determinar se uma única questão genérica tem validade para ser utilizada em pesquisas epidemiológicas. FORMA DE ESTUDO:Revisão sistemática. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Foi realizada uma pesquisa da literatura médica nas bases de dados MEDLINE e LILACS, no período de 1990 a 2004. Foram analisados também artigos citados nas referências dos artigos identificados na busca eletrônica. Foram selecionados os artigos que compararam os resultados obtidos através de auto-relato, por meio de uma questão única genérica, e da audiometria tonal. Foram extraídos os dados de prevalência da perda auditiva, e de sensibilidade, especificidade e valores preditivos. RESULTADO: Foram incluídos dez estudos transversais. A questão única genérica parece ser um indicador aceitável de perda auditiva, sensível e razoavelmente específico, principalmente quando a perda é identificada como sendo a média tonal que inclua freqüências até 2 ou 4 kHz, a um nível de 40 dBNA, na melhor orelha. CONCLUSAO: Uma questão única genérica tem uma boa performance em identificar idosos com perda auditiva e pode, portanto, ser recomendada para um estudo epidemiológico que não possa realizar medidas audiométricas.

Perda auditiva e tontura em idosos: medicamentos e outros fatores associados / Hearing loss and dizziness in aged: drugs and others factors associated

A perda auditiva e a tontura são queixas freqüentes entre idosos, sendo muito associadas à diminuição do convívio social e ao déficit de desempenho funcional. Considerando o rápido processo de envelhecimento da população brasileira observada nas últimas quatro décadas, elas se tornam importantes problemas de saúde pública. Esta tese é composta por um conjunto de três artigos e explora a freqüência da perda auditiva e da tontura auto-referidas em mulheres idosas na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, e os fatores associados, entre eles o uso de medicamentos. O primeiro artigo é uma revisão crítica da literatura científica publicada sobre a validade de uma única questão genérica em pesquisas epidemiológicas. Nos outros dois artigos, foram utilizados os dados de um estudo transversal no Rio de Janeiro em 624 mulheres, com mais de 60 anos, inscritas na Universidade Aberta da Terceira Idade da Universidade Estadual do Rio de Janeiro (UnATI/UERJ) até 1995, através de questionário estruturado, único e padronizado, com perguntas abertas e fechadas, sobre variáveis sócio-econômicas, peso e altura, doenças associadas e uso de medicamentos. Este trabalho permitiu demonstrar que uma questão única genérica parece ser um indicador aceitável de perda auditiva, sensível e razoavelmente específico, principalmente quando a perda é identificada como sendo a média tonal que inclua freqüências até 2 ou 4 kHz, a um nível de 40 dBNA, na melhor orelha, podendo portanto, ser utilizado em estudos epidemiológicos de perda auditiva em idosos. (...) Neste estudo foi possível observar as prevalências da perda auditiva e tontura, e os seus fatores associados, em mulheres idosas inscritas num centro de convívio de idosos. A observação de que o uso de medicamentos permanece associado à perda auditiva e à tontura, mesmo após controle por idade e outras variáveis sócio-econômicas e de estado de saúde, é um importante resultado, já que estes fatores podem ser evitados ou prevenidos nas futuras gerações...