ABSTRACT
Syphilis has reemerged as a serious public health problem in Brazil and worldwide, disproportionately affecting men who have sex with men (MSM) and travestis and transgender women (TrTGW). Studies on sexually transmitted infections (STI) in adolescents from these key populations are relatively scarce. This is a Brazilian multi-center, cross study with prevalence analysis, using as baseline the PrEP1519 cohort of sexually active MSM and TrTGW adolescents, recruited from April 2019 to December 2020. Analyses were made using the dimensions of vulnerability to STI/HIV and logistic regression models were conducted to estimate the odds ratios of the association between the predictor variables and positive treponemal test for syphilis at the moment of entry in the study. In total, 677 participants were analyzed; participants' median age was 18.9 years (IQR: 18.1-19.5); 70.5% (477) self-declared as black; 70.5% (474), as homosexuals/gays; and 48 (7.1%), as trans women or travestis. The baseline prevalence of syphilis was 21.3%. In the final logistic regression model, higher chance of syphilis was associated with: self-reported episode of STI in the last 12 months (OR = 5.92; 95%CI: 3.74-9.37), sex worker (OR = 3.39; 95%CI: 1.32-8.78), and < 11 years of schooling (OR = 1.76; 95%CI: 1.13-2.74). The prevalence of syphilis among MSM/TrTGW adolescents aged from 15 to 19 years was alarming, much higher than the described for the general population within this age range and associated with vulnerability factors. This reinforces the urgent need to strengthen public health programs to debate about race, gender, sexuality, and prevention.
A sífilis reemergiu enquanto problema sério de saúde pública no Brasil e no mundo, afetando de maneira desproporcional homens que fazem sexo com homens (HSH), travestis e mulheres transgênero. São relativamente escassos os estudos sobre infecções sexualmente transmissíveis (IST) entre adolescentes pertencentes a essas populações-chave. O estudo transversal multicêntrico brasileiro analisou a prevalência de sífilis na linha de base da coorte PrEP15-19 de HSH, travestis e mulheres transgênero adolescentes, sexualmente ativos, recrutados entre abril de 2019 e dezembro de 2020. As análises foram realizadas com as dimensões de vulnerabilidade a ISTs/HIV, e modelos de regressão logística foram construídos para estimar as razões de chances da associação entre as variáveis preditoras e um teste treponêmico positivo para sífilis na entrada do estudo. Foram analisados 677 participantes. A idade mediana era 18,9 anos (IIQ: 18,1-19,5), 70,5% (477) se autoidentificaram como pretos, 70,5% (474) como homossexuais/gays e 48 (7,1%) como mulheres trans ou travestis. A prevalência de sífilis na linha de base era 21,3%. No modelo final de regressão logística, as seguintes variáveis estiveram associadas com chances maiores de sífilis: autorrelato de episódio de IST nos últimos 12 meses (OR = 5,92; IC95%: 3,74-9,37), profissional do sexo (OR = 3,39; IC95%: 1,32-8,78) e menos de 11 anos de escolaridade (OR = 1,76; IC95%: 1,13-2,74). A prevalência de sífilis entre HSH, travestis e mulheres transgênero adolescentes entre 15 e 19 anos de idade foi alarmante, muito acima da taxa relatada na população geral nesta faixa etária, e esteve associada a fatores de vulnerabilidade. Os achados reforçam a necessidade urgente de fortalecer os programas de saúde pública com a discussão sobre raça, gênero, sexualidade e prevenção.
La sífilis ha resurgido como un problema serio de salud pública en Brasil y en todo el mundo, afectando desproporcionadamente a hombres que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH), travestis y mujeres transgénero (TrTGW). Los estudios de las enfermedades trasmitidas sexualmente (ETS) en adolescentes de estas poblaciones clase son relativamente escasos. Se trata de un estudio transversal brasileño multicéntrico, con análisis de prevalencia de la base de referencia de la cohorte PrEP1519 de hombres activos sexualmente que mantienen sexo con hombres y adolescentes TrTGW, reclutados desde abril de 2019 a diciembre de 2020. Se hicieron análisis, usando las dimensiones de vulnerabilidad a las ETS/VIH, y se realizaron modelos de regresión logística para estimar las odds ratios de la asociación entre las variables predictoras y la prueba treponémica positiva para la sífilis al comenzar el estudio. Se analizaron a 677 participantes. La media de edad fue 18,9 años (IQR: 18,1-19,5), 70,5% (477) se autodeclararon como negros, 70,5% (474) como homosexuales/gays y 48 (7,1%) como mujeres trans o travestis. La base de referencia de prevalencia de sífilis fue 21,3%. En el modelo final de regresión logística, se asociaron con una posibilidad más alta de sífilis: un episodio autoinformado de ETS en los últimos 12 meses (OR = 5,92; IC95%: 3,74-9,37), trabajadores sexuales (OR = 3,39; IC95%: 1,32-8,78) y < 11 años de estudio (OR = 1,76; IC95%: 1,13-2,74). La prevalencia de sífilis entre adolescentes HSH/TrTGW con edades de 15 a 19 años fue alarmante, mucho más que lo descrito para la población general en este rango de edad y asociado con factores de vulnerabilidad. Esto refuerza la urgente necesidad de fortalecer los programas de salud pública, discutiendo cuestiones de raza, género, sexualidad y prevención.
ABSTRACT
Syphilis has reemerged as a serious public health problem in Brazil and worldwide, disproportionately affecting men who have sex with men (MSM) and travestis and transgender women (TrTGW). Studies on sexually transmitted infections (STI) in adolescents from these key populations are relatively scarce. This is a Brazilian multi-center, cross study with prevalence analysis, using as baseline the PrEP1519 cohort of sexually active MSM and TrTGW adolescents, recruited from April 2019 to December 2020. Analyses were made using the dimensions of vulnerability to STI/HIV and logistic regression models were conducted to estimate the odds ratios of the association between the predictor variables and positive treponemal test for syphilis at the moment of entry in the study. In total, 677 participants were analyzed; participants' median age was 18.9 years (IQR: 18.1-19.5); 70.5% (477) self-declared as black; 70.5% (474), as homosexuals/gays; and 48 (7.1%), as trans women or travestis. The baseline prevalence of syphilis was 21.3%. In the final logistic regression model, higher chance of syphilis was associated with: self-reported episode of STI in the last 12 months (OR = 5.92; 95%CI: 3.74-9.37), sex worker (OR = 3.39; 95%CI: 1.32-8.78), and < 11 years of schooling (OR = 1.76; 95%CI: 1.13-2.74). The prevalence of syphilis among MSM/TrTGW adolescents aged from 15 to 19 years was alarming, much higher than the described for the general population within this age range and associated with vulnerability factors. This reinforces the urgent need to strengthen public health programs to debate about race, gender, sexuality, and prevention.
A sífilis reemergiu enquanto problema sério de saúde pública no Brasil e no mundo, afetando de maneira desproporcional homens que fazem sexo com homens (HSH), travestis e mulheres transgênero. São relativamente escassos os estudos sobre infecções sexualmente transmissíveis (IST) entre adolescentes pertencentes a essas populações-chave. O estudo transversal multicêntrico brasileiro analisou a prevalência de sífilis na linha de base da coorte PrEP15-19 de HSH, travestis e mulheres transgênero adolescentes, sexualmente ativos, recrutados entre abril de 2019 e dezembro de 2020. As análises foram realizadas com as dimensões de vulnerabilidade a ISTs/HIV, e modelos de regressão logística foram construídos para estimar as razões de chances da associação entre as variáveis preditoras e um teste treponêmico positivo para sífilis na entrada do estudo. Foram analisados 677 participantes. A idade mediana era 18,9 anos (IIQ: 18,1-19,5), 70,5% (477) se autoidentificaram como pretos, 70,5% (474) como homossexuais/gays e 48 (7,1%) como mulheres trans ou travestis. A prevalência de sífilis na linha de base era 21,3%. No modelo final de regressão logística, as seguintes variáveis estiveram associadas com chances maiores de sífilis: autorrelato de episódio de IST nos últimos 12 meses (OR = 5,92; IC95%: 3,74-9,37), profissional do sexo (OR = 3,39; IC95%: 1,32-8,78) e menos de 11 anos de escolaridade (OR = 1,76; IC95%: 1,13-2,74). A prevalência de sífilis entre HSH, travestis e mulheres transgênero adolescentes entre 15 e 19 anos de idade foi alarmante, muito acima da taxa relatada na população geral nesta faixa etária, e esteve associada a fatores de vulnerabilidade. Os achados reforçam a necessidade urgente de fortalecer os programas de saúde pública com a discussão sobre raça, gênero, sexualidade e prevenção.
La sífilis ha resurgido como un problema serio de salud pública en Brasil y en todo el mundo, afectando desproporcionadamente a hombres que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH), travestis y mujeres transgénero (TrTGW). Los estudios de las enfermedades trasmitidas sexualmente (ETS) en adolescentes de estas poblaciones clase son relativamente escasos. Se trata de un estudio transversal brasileño multicéntrico, con análisis de prevalencia de la base de referencia de la cohorte PrEP1519 de hombres activos sexualmente que mantienen sexo con hombres y adolescentes TrTGW, reclutados desde abril de 2019 a diciembre de 2020. Se hicieron análisis, usando las dimensiones de vulnerabilidad a las ETS/VIH, y se realizaron modelos de regresión logística para estimar las odds ratios de la asociación entre las variables predictoras y la prueba treponémica positiva para la sífilis al comenzar el estudio. Se analizaron a 677 participantes. La media de edad fue 18,9 años (IQR: 18,1-19,5), 70,5% (477) se autodeclararon como negros, 70,5% (474) como homosexuales/gays y 48 (7,1%) como mujeres trans o travestis. La base de referencia de prevalencia de sífilis fue 21,3%. En el modelo final de regresión logística, se asociaron con una posibilidad más alta de sífilis: un episodio autoinformado de ETS en los últimos 12 meses (OR = 5,92; IC95%: 3,74-9,37), trabajadores sexuales (OR = 3,39; IC95%: 1,32-8,78) y < 11 años de estudio (OR = 1,76; IC95%: 1,13-2,74). La prevalencia de sífilis entre adolescentes HSH/TrTGW con edades de 15 a 19 años fue alarmante, mucho más que lo descrito para la población general en este rango de edad y asociado con factores de vulnerabilidad. Esto refuerza la urgente necesidad de fortalecer los programas de salud pública, discutiendo cuestiones de raza, género, sexualidad y prevención.
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Objective: Staphylococcus aureus infections remain associated with considerable morbidity and mortality in both hospitals and the community. There is little information regarding the role of ovarian hormones in infections caused by S. aureus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ovariectomy in the immune response induced by S. aureus. Methods: Female mice BALB/c were ovariectomized (OVX) to significantly reduce the level of ovarian hormones. We also used sham-operated animals. The mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with S. aureus. Blood samples were collected for leukocyte count and bacterial quantification. The uterus and spleen were removed and weighed to calculate the uterine and splenic indexes. Lungs were removed and fractionated for immunohistochemical analysis for macrophage detection (anti-CD68) and relative gene expression of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α by RT-PCR. Results: Ovariectomy enlarged spleen size and generally increased circulating lymphocytes. OVX females experienced a continuation of the initial reduction of lymphocytes and a monocyte and neutrophil late response compared to shams (p ≥ 0.05). Moreover, OVX females showed neutropenia after 168 h of infection (p ≥ 0.05). Macrophage response in the lungs were less pronounced in OVX females in the initial hours of infection (p ≥ 0.01). OVX females showed a higher relative gene expression of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in the lung at the beginning of the infection compared to sham females (p ≥ 0.01). Among the uninfected females, the OVX control females showed a higher expression of IL-6 in the lung compared to the sham control females (p ≥ 0.05). In this model, the lack of ovarian hormones caused a minor increase in circulating leukocytes during the initial stage of infection by S. aureus and increased pulmonary gene expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. Ovariectomy alone enlarged the spleen and increased circulating lymphocytes. Ovarian hormones acted as immunoprotectors against S. aureus infection.
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Humans , Mice , Staphylococcal Infections , Staphylococcus aureus , Hormones , Immunity , Mice, Inbred BALB CABSTRACT
Resumo O contexto brasileiro de desigualdades sociais e barreiras no acesso aos serviços de saúde pode agravar a situação da pandemia de COVID-19, que já afeta todos os estados da federação, com a curva crescente de aumento de casos confirmados e mortes. O governo dos países e os agentes do campo científico têm buscado evidências para as melhores práticas de prevenção e controle da transmissão, e cuidado da infecção e doença, incluindo medidas de diagnóstico, tratamento e de atenção à saúde. A estratégia de testagem em larga escala, visando o diagnóstico precoce, quarentena dos casos leves identificados, bem como dos contactantes, e cuidado adequado dos casos graves, tem sido revisada e indicada como uma das medidas eficientes para o controle da pandemia em vários países do mundo. O artigo tem como objetivo discutir os desafios da testagem e do diagnóstico de COVID-19 no Brasil.
Abstract The Brazilian context of social inequalities and barriers in accessing health services may deteriorate the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, which already affects all Brazilian federative states, with the growing curve of increasing confirmed cases and deaths. National governments and scientific field agents have been looking for evidence for the best practices of prevention and control of transmission, and care of infection and disease, including diagnosis, treatment, and health care measures. The large-scale testing strategy, aimed at early diagnosis, quarantine of the mild cases identified, as well as those of the contacts, and adequate care of severe cases, has been revised and indicated as one of the efficient pandemic control measures in several countries in the world. This paper aims to discuss the challenges of COVID-19 testing and diagnosis in Brazil.
Subject(s)
Humans , Pneumonia, Viral/diagnosis , Coronavirus Infections/diagnosis , Health Services Accessibility , Pneumonia, Viral/epidemiology , Brazil , Coronavirus Infections , Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology , Clinical Laboratory Techniques , Healthcare Disparities , PandemicsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Bacterial pathogens have many strategies for infecting and persisting in host cells. Adhesion, invasion and intracellular life are important features in the biology of mollicutes. The intracellular location ofUreaplasma diversum may trigger disturbances in the host cell. This includes activation or inhibition of pro and anti-apoptotic factors, which facilitate the development of host damage. The aim of the present study was to associate U. diversum infection in HEp-2 cells and apoptosis induction. Cells were infected for 72hs with four U. diversum clinical isolates and an ATCC strain. The U. diversuminvasion was analyzed by Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy and gentamicin invasion assay. The apoptosis was evaluated using pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic gene expression, and FITC Annexin V/Dead Cell Apoptosis Kit. RESULTS: The number of internalized ureaplasma in HEp-2 cells increased significantly throughout the infection. The flow cytometry analysis with fluorochromes to detect membrane depolarization and gene expression for caspase 2, 3 and 9 increased in infected cells after 24 hours. However, after 72 hours a considerable decrease of apoptotic cells was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggests that apoptosis may be initially induced by some isolates in association with HEp-2 cells, but over time, there was no evidence of apoptosis in the presence of ureaplasma and HEp-2 cells. The initial increase and then decrease in apoptosis could be related to bacterial pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMPS). Moreover, the isolates of U. diversum presented differences in the studied parameters for apoptosis. It was also observed that the amount of microorganisms was not proportional to the induction of apoptosis in HEp-2 cells.