Evaluation of the level of knowledge and prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women in Santa Catarina, Brazil

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection in pregnant women in Santa Catarina, as well as to analyze the knowledge about zoonosis in the study population. Methods: Therefore, 109 volunteers evaluated in Basic Health Units in the city of Blumenau and Brusque were evaluated. The data were collected through questionnaires and analysis of the pregnant woman's handbooks with medical records. Results: In this study, the prevalence of IgG anti-T. gondii was 53.7%, with positivity for IgM anti-T. gondii was 1.0%. Seronegativity for toxoplasmosis was verified in 45.3% of the participants. In addition, the data demonstrated that the majority of pregnant women have not any knowledge of the disease. Conclusion: The results of obtained demonstrated that health actions promotion is crucial to clarify about T. gondii infection, in order to prevent this disease during pregnancy.

O presente trabalho teve por objetivo determinar a prevalência de infecção pelo Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) entre gestantes de Santa Catarina, bem como analisar o conhecimento sobre a zoonose na população em estudo. Métodos: Para tanto, foram avaliadas 109 voluntárias atendidas em Unidades Básicas de Saúde dos municípios de Blumenau e Brusque. Os dados foram coletados por meio de questionários e análise de cadernetas da gestante. Resultados: Neste estudo, a prevalência global de anti-T. gondii IgG foi de 53,7%, sendo que a positividade para anti-T. gondii IgM foi de 1,0%. A soronegatividade para toxoplasmose foi verificada em 45,3% das participantes. Além disso, os dados revelaram que a maioria das gestantes não tem conhecimento acerca da doença. Conclusão: Os resultados deste estudo demostraram a necessidade da promoção de ações de saúde voltadas ao esclarecimento sobre o T. gondii visando prevenir a infecção durante a gestação.

Distribution and antifungal susceptibility of Candida species isolated from clinical samples in southern Brazil

Abstract Invasive infections caused by Candida species have been strongly associated with poor prognosis and high resistance rates to some antifungals. This study aimed to identify Candida species isolated from different anatomical sites and to describe their susceptibility profile to antifungals. Ninety-four clinical isolates of Candida were obtained from a Medical Laboratory of Santa Catarina/Brazil. Species identification was performed by MALDI-TOF MS. Susceptibility assays were performed as described by Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) microboth method. Among the analyzed samples, C. albicans was the pathogen most incident (59.9%) followed by C. parapsilosis complex (14.9%), C. glabrata complex (8.5%), and C. tropicalis (6.3%). 37 Candida strains were isolated from vaginal content (39.3%), 21 from the nail (22.4%), 8 from tracheal aspirates (8.5%), and 7 from urine (7.4%). Together, the Candida isolates presented decreased susceptibility to azole drugs, mainly to fluconazole and itraconazole. Amphotericin B showed sensibility in 95.7% of samples analyzed. Previous knowledge about etiology and antifungal susceptibility becomes indispensable to conduct an efficient treatment.

Incidência de dermatofitoses em cães no período de janeiro de 2016 a janeiro de 2018 em um laboratório veterinário de análises clínicas na cidade de Chapecó ­ SC / Incidence of dermatophytes in dogs in the period from january 2016 to january 2018 in a veterinary laboratory of clinical analisis in the city of Chapecó - SC

Objetivo: Tendo em vista a possibilidade de variação na incidência e prevalência das dermatofitoses de uma região geográfica para outra, e seu potencial zoonótico, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo fornecer dados a respeito da frequência de dermatofitoses em cães na cidade de Chapecó-SC. Métodos: Avaliaram-se resultados de exames micológico direto e cultura fúngica de caninos, emitidos por um laboratório particular de análises clínicas veterinárias na cidade de Chapecó, Santa Catarina. Os dados foram coletados do sistema Multvet e analisados por meio do software IBM SPSS 22.0 através do cálculo de frequência. Resultados: No período compreendido foram solicitados 108 exames para micológico direto e 223 para cultura fúngica. Destes, 81 laudos de micológico direto (75%) e 159 laudos de cultura fúngica (71%) atendiam aos critérios de inclusão, sendo a maioria dos resultados pertencentes a fêmeas com idade entre 1 e 8 anos, sem raça definida (SRD); além disso verificou-se que não houve diferença significativa entre as solicitações dos exames por estação do ano. A respeito da espécie de dermatófito isolado na cultura fúngica, corroborando com demais estudos, o Microsporum canis foi o mais frequente. Conclusão: Visto que as dermatofitoses são consideradas doenças com potencial zoonótico, e sua epidemiologia é conhecida por mudar ao longo do tempo, os resultados desta pesquisa mostraram que tanto o papel do médico veterinário quanto o do patologista clínico são de suma importância para o prognóstico favorável do paciente.

Objective: Given the possibility of occurrence of variance and prevalence of dermatophytosis from one geographical region to another, and its zoonotic potential, the present study had an impact on the frequency of dermatophytosis in dogs in the city of Chapecó SC. Methods: Evaluation of results obtained through direct mycological examination and canine culture issued by a private veterinary clinical anamnesis laboratory in the city of Chapecó, Santa Catarina, with data collected by the IBM SPSS 22.0 system through frequency calculation. Results: No complete year, 108 direct microbial and 223 religious culture tests were requested, at the same time, 81 direct micrological compliments (75%) and 159 fungal culture reports (71%) within inclusion lips, a large majority of the results belonged to female dog aged 1 to 8 years, with no defined race (SRD), and it was found that there was no major difference between examinations by season. Treating the resistance of sexual dermatitis in fungal culture, corroborating other Dermatophytosis is a closed disease with zoonotic potential, and its epidemiology is known to change over time. The results of the research are as important as the role of the veterinarian in clinical pathology are important for the favorable prognosis of the disease patient.

Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection in a renal transplant recipient

Strongyloidiasis is a worldwide intestinal infection produced by the nematode Strongyloides stercoralis. In this study, we report the case of a 47-year-old female patient who was submitted to renal transplant and an immunosuppression regimen. She was admitted to the emergency service with intense abdominal pain, evolving to an acute respiratory insufficiency, gram-negative bacteremia, refractory shock and death. S. stercoralis larvae were identified in the parasitological exam and bronchoalveolar lavage. This provides evidence for the importance of the early diagnosis of this neglected helminthiasis in transplanted patients undergoing immunosuppresive therapy

High prevalence of HBV carriers among waste collectors in the largest landfill in Latin America

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a serious public health problem. Some professions are at an increased risk for HBV infection, such as recyclable waste collectors. In this study, the aim was to evaluate the prevalence of HBV carriers and vaccination coverage among waste collectors in the largest landfill in the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area, as well as to determine the association between risk factors and HBV infection in the studied population. In this study 73 participants answered a questionnaire on their socio-demographic variables and occupational exposure to waste. All of the subjects in the study were tested for HBsAg and their vaccination cards were evaluated in order to assess their HBV vaccination status. The vaccination coverage among the individuals who had a vaccination card was 57.4%. The overall prevalence of HBsAg was 12.3%. The prevalence of HBsAg was significantly higher among men (p = 0.002). However, no statistical differences were found in the prevalence of HBsAg between individuals with a history of occupational accidents involving sharp edges and non-injured individuals (p = 0.267). The results of this study demonstrate the need to strengthen prevention measures and increase HBV vaccination among waste collectors.

Micoses superficiais em pacientes com Diabetes Mellitus atendidos em um ambulatório geral em Blumenau, SC / Superficial mycoses in patient with Diabetes Mellitus served in a general outpatient clinic in Blumenau, SC

O Diabetes Mellitus (DM) caracteriza-se por uma síndrome clínica de evolução crônica e degenerativa, decorrente de distúrbio na secreção e/ou ação da insulina no organismo, que determina um conjunto de alterações metabólicas, caracterizadas,principalmente, pela hiperglicemia. Os indivíduos portadores de DM são, em geral, indivíduos vulneráveis a uma série de complicações de natureza infecciosa, como os processos bacterianos, fúngicos e virais. As micoses mais frequentemente encontradas são causadas por fungos dermatófitos e leveduras do gênero Candida. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a frequência de infecção fúngica em portadores de DM atendidos em um ambulatório geral, em Blumenau, SC. Métodos: O diagnóstico laboratorial foi feito através de métodos tradicionais, incluindo exame micológico direto e cultura. Resultados: Constatou-se que, dentre os indivíduos avaliados, 36% apresentaram resultado positivo,sendo que, desses, 86% apresentaram lesão por Candida spp. e 14% por dermatófitos, o qual foi identificado como Trichophyton mentagrophytes na cultura. Conclusão: A maior frequência de Candida spp. pode estar relacionada à imunossupressão ocasionada pelo Diabetes Mellitus. Com este estudo, pode-se demonstrar a importância do diagnóstico laboratorial precoce das infecções fúngicas em indivíduos com Diabetes Mellitus...