Seroprevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in blood donors in the extreme South of Brazil

ABSTRACT Background: We aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of Chagas disease among blood donors in southern Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Methods: The study was conducted from 2010 to 2019 based on data registered by the Hemocentro Regional de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul. Results: There were 106,320 blood donations, and the discard rate of blood bags, either due to positive reactions to anti-T. cruzi antibodies or inconclusive results was 0.27% (283 bags). Conclusions: The usage of methods that enable the safe identification of donors with positive serology for Chagas disease is fundamental to ensure transfusional safety.

Taxa de ocupação e média de permanência em quatro hospitais de um município sul-brasileiro / Tasa de ocupación y promedio de estancia en cuatro hospitales de un municipio sur-brasileño / Occupancy rate and average stay in four hospitals in a southern Brazilian municipality

Objetivo: avaliar o desempenho dos indicadores taxa de ocupação geral e média de permanência geral em instituições prestadoras do Sistema Único de Saúde em Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul. Método: estudo quantitativo, descritivo, delineamento dedutivo, em dados secundários do TABWIN, realizado de 2011 a 2015. Resultados: quanto a média de permanência geral, o hospital D esteve dentro do parâmetro. Os demais estavam acima do preconizado, com 9,2 dias de internação. Sobre a taxa de ocupação geral, o hospital A, em 2015, manteve-se no recomendado. O B destacou-se com padrão de 100%. O C, em 2011 e 2012, permaneceu na média, declinando posteriormente. No hospital D, em 2012 e 2013, a média ficou dentro do preconizado, nos demais anos a taxa foi de 89,8%. Conclusões: a média de permanência em um hospital foi dentro do parâmetro. A taxa de ocupação geral em duas entidades foi considerada acima da média.(AU)

Objective: to evaluate the performance indicators general occupancy rate and overall average stay in institutions providing the National Health System in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul. Method: quantitative, descriptive study, deductive design, in secondary data from TABWIN, carried out from 2011 to 2015. Results: regarding the overall average stay, hospital D was within the parameter. The other hospitals were above the recommended parameters, with 9.2 days of hospital stay. Regarding the general occupancy rate, hospital A, in 2015, remained as recommended. Hospital B stood out with a 100% pattern. Hospital C remained on average in 2011 and 2012, declining afterwards. In hospital D, the average was within the proposed parameter in 2012 and 2013, in other years the rate was 89.8%. Conclusions: the average hospital stay was within the parameter. The general occupancy rate in two hospital institutions was considered above average.(AU)

Objetivo: evaluar el desarrollo de los indicadores tasa de ocupación general y promedio de estancia general en instituciones del Sistema Único de Salud en Pelotas, Rio Grande del Sur. Método: estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo, en datos secundarios del TABWIN de 2011 a 2015. Resultados: al promedio de estancia, del hospital D, estuvo dentro del parámetro. Los otros estaban a cima del recomendado, con 9,2 días de internación. La tasa de ocupación en el hospital A, en 2015, se mantuvo en el recomendado. El B se destacó, con el 100% estándar. El C, en 2011 y 2012, permaneció en el promedio, declinante posteriormente. En el hospital D, en 2012 y 2013, el promedio quedo dentro del recomendado, en los otros años la tasa fue del 89,8%. Conclusiones: el promedio de estancia en un hospital fue dentro del parámetro. La tasa de ocupación general en dos entidades fue considerada a cima del promedio.(AU)

Seroprevalence of anti-TRYPANOSOMA CRUZI and anti-TOXOPLASMA GONDII antibodies in possible and potential organ donors in the south of Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil

Serological profiles are important in cases of solid organ donation where serological findings, such as antibodies against Trypanosoma cruzi and toxoplasmosis, may interfere in organ donation by increasing morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to outline seroprevalence of anti-Trypanosoma cruzi and anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in possible and potential organ donors in the south of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) State, Brazil. A cross-sectional quantitative and retrospective epidemiological study was carried out, based on secondary data. Data on serology were extracted from medical records found in the Sistema de Gestão Hospitalar (SIGH), a hospital management system used by a university hospital in the south of RS, Brazil. Sociodemographic variables, such as age, sex and race, as well as clinical variables, such as titration of IgM and IgG anti-T. cruzi and anti­T. gondii antibodies, were analyzed. Medical records were found to be poorly filled in, since 67.6% (506 records) could not be used due to lack of information. Seroprevalence of T. cruzi was 6.8% (5 cases), mostly in white males. Regarding seroprevalence of T. gondii, 76.2% (64 donors) were serologicaly positive, 10.9% of which were IgM positive. This is the first study on anti-T. cruzi and anti-T. gondii antibodies in organ donors in RS, Brazil and should be furthered since there may be consequences regarding organ uptake and donation.

Health education in chagas disease control: making an educational video

Several studies have shown that the population has relatively little information regarding Chagas disease (CD) and its vectors; however, this knowledge is relevant because community participation is vital for success in disease control actions. For this reason, and due to the lack of audiovisual material on this subject in the country, this study focused on making an educational documentary on CD and its vectors, which could be available to the population for free. The video preparation was divided into three phases: Pre-production, Production and Post-production. The site chosen for shooting was northwestern Rio Grande do Sul State due to the Triatoma infestans vector persistence in recent decades in that area. A documentary was obtained which addresses relevant CD aspects, such as its history, transmission, major vectors and biology, phases of the disease and, in particular, how to inspect the intra-domiciliary and peri-domiciliary areas in search of triatomine bugs or "kissing bugs". The use of videos as an educational tool helps broadcast information; therefore, this documentary is a public use tool, which aims to promote the control and prophylaxis of CD and its vectors.