ABSTRACT
Objective: to describe risk factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: this is a retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study aimed at describing the epidemiological profile of laboratory and clinical diagnosis of unvaccinated patients seen at a basic health unit in Araçatuba SP, infected with SARS-CoV-2 between June 2020 and January 2021.The results were analyzed through inferential and descriptive statistics. Additionally, Chi-square and Fisher exact tests were used (p<0.05). Results: of 313 patients, 128 were positive for COVID-19, with 68.75% diagnosed by RT-PCR and the others by immunochromatography. Women were 51.56% of those infected with adults corresponding to the main age group (76.56%), and 57% of patients had only a basic educational level concluded. A total of 88.26% of the patients progressed to cure without complications; eight patients died, most of whom were men and elderly. Of the variables analyzed for positive/negative outcomes, only "basic educational level" was significant for a positive result(p=0.0019). Conclusion: the deaths of infected patients may be associated with the existence of at least one comorbidity and advanced age of men.
Objetivo: descrever os fatores de risco associados com a infecção por SARS-CoV-2. Métodos: trata-se de um estudo descritivo retrospectivo e transversal, voltado a descrever o perfil epidemiológico de diagnóstico laboratorial e clínico, de pacientes não vacinados, atendidos em uma unidade básica de saúde de Araçatuba-SP, infectados por SARS-CoV-2, no período entre junho de 2020 e janeiro de 2021. Os resultados foram analisados por estatística inferencial e descritiva. Adicionalmente, foram aplicados os testes de Qui-quadrado e exato de Fisher (p<0.05). Resultados: dos 313 pacientes, 128 apresentaram resultado positivo para COVID-19, com 68,75% diagnosticados por RT-PCR e o restante por imunocromatografia. Mulheres foram 51,56% dos infectados, com adultos correspondendo à principal faixa etária (76,56%), 57% dos pacientes apresentavam apenas o nível educacional básico concluído. O quadro de 88.26%dos pacientes evoluiu para cura sem complicações;8 pacientes foram a óbito, sendo, em sua maioria, homens e idosos. Das variáveis analisadas para grau de dependência de resultado positivo/negativo, apenas "nível escolar básico" apresentou resultado significante para resultado positivo (p=0.0019). Conclusão: os óbitos dos pacientes infectados podem ser associados à existência de, pelo menos, uma comorbidade e à idade avançada de homens.
Subject(s)
SARS-CoV-2 , COVID-19 , Comorbidity , Clinical Diagnosis , Incidence , Cross-Sectional Studies , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
Abstract Since the early 20th century, the detection of intestinal parasites has improved with the development of several techniques for parasitic structures recovery and identification, which differ in sensitivity, specificity, practicality, cost, and infrastructure demand. This study aims to review, in chronological order, the stool examination techniques and discuss their advantages, limitations, and perspectives, and to provide professionals and specialists in this field with data that lays a foundation for critical analysis on the use of such procedures. The concentration procedures that constitute the main techniques applied in routine research and in parasitological kits are a) spontaneous sedimentation; b) centrifugation-sedimentation with formalin-ethyl acetate; and c) flotation with zinc sulfate solution. While selecting a technique, one should consider the purpose of its application and the technical-operational, biological, and physicochemical factors inherent in the procedures used in stool processing, which may restrict its use. These intrinsic limitations may have undergone procedural changes driven by scientific and technological development and by development of alternative methods, which now contribute to the improvement of diagnostic accuracy.
Subject(s)
Humans , Animals , History, 20th Century , History, 21st Century , Parasitology/history , Specimen Handling/history , Feces/parasitology , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/diagnosis , Parasitology/methods , Specimen Handling/methods , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
Abstract This study used several diagnostic methods to examine the occurrence of and molecularly characterize Cryptosporidium spp. in captive canaries (Serinus canaria) in southern and southeastern Brazil. A total of 498 fecal samples were purified by centrifugal-flotation using Sheather's solution. Cryptosporidium spp. diagnosis was performed using three diagnostic methods: malachite green negative staining, nested PCR targeting the 18S rRNA gene, followed by sequencing the amplified fragments, and duplex real-time PCR targeting the 18S rRNA specific to detect Cryptosporidium galli and Cryptosporidium avian genotype III. The overall positivity for Cryptosporidium spp. (total samples positive in at least one protocol) from the microscopic analysis, nested PCR and duplex real-time PCR protocol results was 13.3% (66/498). The positivity rates were 2.0% (10/498) and 4.6% (23/498) for Cryptosporidium spp. by microscopy and nested PCR, respectively. Sequencing of 20 samples amplified by nested PCR identified C. galli (3.0%; 15/498), Cryptosporidium avian genotype I (0.8%; 4/498) and Cryptosporidium avium (0.2%; 1/498). Duplex real-time PCR revealed a positivity of 7.8% (39/498) for C. galli and 2.4% (12/498) for avian genotype III. Malachite green negative staining differed significantly from nested PCR in detecting Cryptosporidium spp. Duplex real-time PCR was more sensitive than nested PCR/sequencing for detecting gastric Cryptosporidium in canaries.
Resumo Este trabalho teve como objetivos determinar a ocorrência e realizar a caracterização molecular de Cryptosporidium spp. em 498 amostras fecais de canários (Serinus canaria) criados em cativeiro, utilizando três métodos de diagnóstico: análise microscópica pela coloração negativa com verde malaquita, nested PCR seguida de sequenciamento dos fragmentos amplificados e PCR duplex em tempo real específica para detecção de Cryptosporidium galli e Cryptosporidium genótipo III de aves. A positividade total para Cryptosporidium spp. (total de amostras positivas em pelo menos um método de diagnóstico) obtida pela análise microscópica, nested PCR e PCR duplex em tempo real foi de 13,3% (66/498). As taxas de positividade para Cryptosporidium spp. foram 2,0% (10/498) e 4,6% (23/498) por microscopia e nested PCR, respectivamente. O sequenciamento de 20 amostras amplificadas pela nested PCR identificou C. galli (3,0%; 15/498), Cryptosporidium genótipo I de aves (0,8%; 4/498) e Cryptosporidium avium (0,2%; 1/498). A PCR duplex em tempo real revelou positividade de 7,8% (39/498) para C. galli e 2,4% (12/498) para Cryptosporidium genótipo III de aves. A análise microscópica diferiu significativamente da nested PCR para detecção de Cryptosporidium spp. A PCR duplex em tempo real apresentou maior sensibilidade que a nested PCR/sequenciamento para detectar as espécies/genótipos gástricos de Cryptosporidium.
Subject(s)
Animals , Canaries/parasitology , Cryptosporidiosis/diagnosis , Cryptosporidiosis/parasitology , Cryptosporidium/isolation & purification , Brazil , DNA/analysis , Cryptosporidium/genetics , Molecular Diagnostic Techniques , Animals, DomesticABSTRACT
Intestinal parasites are among the major causative agents of diseases that affect animals and humans, especially children. In view of this, the current study evaluated the occurrence of these parasitic agents in 737 children in an urban region with excellent sanitation condition of the city of Pedreira, São Paulo, Brazil. Fecal samples from the children were processed with the use of a technique of high diagnostic efficiency (TF-Test®). The diagnosis of these samples resulted in the detection of 557 parasitic structures among eleven genera of parasites, and of 46.4% (342/737) infected children. Blastocystis spp. was found in 69.6% (238/342) of the positive samples and the monoparasitism was accompanied by symptoms in 44 children. Furthermore, 67.8% (232/342) of the infected children had close contact with pets, suggesting a possible zoonotic transmission. Lastly, this study allowed to perform health education to the children, aiming the reduction of new intestinal parasitic infections.