ABSTRACT
AbstractIntroduction: In this work, we report the development and initial tests of a measuring system that is used to measure the cervical electrical impedance with the purpose of assessing cervical ripening. The objective is to offer a system that provides real-time information about the cervical electrical impedance and, indirectly, of the cervical ripening with the aim of preventing premature birth. Methods Probes were developed and initial tests were performed. The probes used had electrodes that are far apart, with the assumption that in such cases deeper layers of the cervical tissue are measured. Results Preliminary measurements were performed in a single session on a non-gravid uterus, using as excitation signal a sinusoidal wave with frequency varying from 3 kHz to 100 kHz. Results indicate, as expected, that the magnitude of the impedance is inversely proportional to the frequency, indicating capacitive impedance. Conclusion Preliminary results were very encouraging. However, further measurements must be performed to correlate the impedance to the cervical ripening.
ABSTRACT
Este artigo apresenta um estudo realizado com o objetivo de analisar a prevalência de colonização por Streptococcus do grupo B (EGB) em gestantes no terceiro trimestre de gestação, comparando a taxa de detecção de EGB entre os diferentes meios de cultura seletivos e não-seletivos em amostras vaginais e anorretais e avaliar a associação da colonização com variáveis maternas, socioeconômicas e clínicas. É um estudo transversal com 102 gestantes, a partir de 35 semanas de gestação, atendidas pelo Serviço de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia do Hospital e Maternidade Santa Casa de Maringá. A coleta dos materiais biológicos foi realizada com quatro swabs estéreis, sendo dois vaginais e dois anorretais e semeados em ágar sangue, contendo gentamicina e ácido nalidixico (ASA), Todd-Hewitt e Hich-Pike-Todd-Hewitt (HPTH). A prevalência da colonização pelo EGB na amostra estudada foi de 24,5 porcento. A detecção de EGB isoladamente nos meios HPTH, ASA e Todd-Hewitt foi de 21,6, 12,8 e 11,8 porcento, respectivamente. Os resultados de prevalência de colonização por EGB foram altos e estão de acordo com os detectados em outras regiões no Brasil. O meio de HPTH apresentou melhor capacidade de isolamento de EGB tanto em amostras vaginais como anorretais. As associações de coleta, nos sítios anorretais e vaginais, aumentaram a taxa de detecção de colonização por EGB. O tratamento da infecção urinária diminui a incidência de cultura positiva para EGB
This article presents a study which had the purpose to analyze the prevalence of colonization by EGB in pregnant women in the third pregnancy term; compare EGB detection rate among distinct selective and non-selective culture media of vaginal and anorectic samples; evaluate colonization to maternal, social, economical and clinical variables. It is a transversal study with 102 pregnant women, starting from the 35th week of pregnancy, attended at Service of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Santa Casa Hospital and Maternity of Maringá; collection of biological samples was carried with four sterile swabs, or rather, two vaginal and two anorectic swabs, inoculated in blood agar plates with gentamicin and nalidixic acid (ASA), Todd-Hewitt and HPTH. Whereas prevalence of colonization by EGB in samples reached 24.5 percent, EGB detection in HPTH, ASA and Todd-Hewitt media was respectively 21.6 percent, 12.8 percent and 11.8 percent. Results on the prevalence of colonization by EGB were high, albeit similar to those detected in other regions of Brazil. HPTH medium had a better capacity of isolating EGB in vaginal and anorectic samples. Colletion associations in anorectic and vaginal sites increased the detection rate of colonization by EGB. Treatment of urinary infection reduces the incidence of positive EBG culture