Consentimento informado para a testagem do HIV em unidades de pronto-socorro e direitos humanos dos pacientes: à procura de equilíbrio / Informed consent for HIV screening in the emergency departments and human rights in patient care: seeking the right balance

Resumo O "excepcionalismo" da infecção pelo HIV diz respeito ao fato de essa doença ser considerada tão diferente das demais e de que sua testagem necessita de uma abordagem especial em relação ao consentimento informado. Frequentemente, pessoas infectadas pelo HIV visitam unidades de assistência à saúde, sobretudo prontossocorros, anos antes de receberem um diagnóstico, sem terem sido testadas nessas oportunidades. Existe considerável interesse público em ampliar a testagem para o HIV em prontos-socorros. Por se tratar de ambiente sensível, cuja missão principal é o cuidado de urgências e emergências, há questionamentos quanto a esse ser um local apropriado para um programa de rastreamento universal, notadamente por questões éticas. Assim, os "direitos humanos dos pacientes" (DHP) constituem referencial teórico essencial para a análise de conflitos éticos que surgem no encontro clínico, fortalecendo a efetiva aplicação dos direitos humanos ao cuidado em saúde.

Abstract HIV exceptionalism refers to the fact that the illness is so different from other diseases that testing needs a special approach to informed consent. HIV infected people often visit health clinics, especially emergency departments, years before receiving a diagnosis without being tested for HIV. There is considerable public interest in increasing HIV testing in emergency departments. However, because these departments are sensitive environments that primarily provide urgent and emergency care, a number of ethical questions have been raised about the appropriateness of these settings for the implementation of universal screening programs. Human rights in patient care therefore constitutes an essential theoretical framework for analyzing ethical and legal dilemmas that arise in clinical encounters, thus strengthening the application of human rights principles to the context of patient care.

Visceral leishmaniasis lethality in Brazil: an exploratory analysis of associated demographic and socioeconomic factors

Abstract INTRODUCTION: It is believed that delays in diagnosis and treatment of Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) contribute significantly to the burden of VL lethality in Brazil. METHODS: This study included several parts: a descriptive cross-sectional study of the individual characteristics of deaths from disease; a descriptive ecological study of the spatial distribution of deaths from disease; and an ecological analytical study to evaluate the association between disease lethality rates and the demographic, socioeconomic, and health indicators. The study population comprised all cases diagnosed throughout the country per the National Disease Notification System (SINAN) and the total number of disease deaths recorded in the Mortality Information System (SIM) from 2007 to 2012. RESULTS: Of the 223 deaths from disease captured by pairing the databases, 59.1% were reported as "death from other causes". There were significant associations between VL lethality rate and municipalities with the highest proportion of vulnerable individuals (rate ratio (RR)=1.18, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01-1.27), with VL lower incidence rate (RR=0.62, 95% CI: 0.58-0.67) and a higher incidence rate of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) (RR=1.20, 95% CI: 1.17-1.51). CONCLUSIONS: Linking the SINAN and SIM databases allowed the inclusion of 14% of otherwise underreported deaths from VL for the study period, showing that this method is useful for the surveillance of VL-related deaths. The size of the municipal population, proportion of the vulnerable population, incidence of disease, and the incidence of AIDS were associated with municipal lethality rates related to VL in Brazil.

HIV prevalence in recently incarcerated adult males in the Federal District, Brasilia, Brazil

Abstract INTRODUCTION: This study intends to describe a HIV intake screening strategy in recently incarcerated adults in Distrito Federal, Brasilia, Brazil. METHODS: We tested 455 recently incarcerated adults in Distrito Federal in 2016 using rapid tests (RT) applied to oral samples (OS). RESULTS: The estimated frequency of positive tests was 0.88% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.34% to 2.24%). CONCLUSIONS: The present findings reveal the potential significance of detecting new HIV infection cases in a vulnerable population using point-of-care rapid diagnostic tests.

A cross-sectional approach including dog owner characteristics as predictors of visceral leishmaniasis infection in dogs

BACKGROUND Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is relevant for human and animal public health. Several factors have been associated with the risk of Leishmania infantum infection in dogs. However, dog owner characteristics have been rarely explored. OBJECTIVES To estimate the prevalence and to identify the associated factors for VL infection including dog owners characteristics. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted including dogs from an endemic canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) region in the Federal District, Brazil. The infection was detected using parasitological, serological, and molecular methods. The associated factors were identified through Poisson regression modelling. FINDINGS The prevalence of infection was 26.25% [95% confidence interval (CI): 20.05 to 33.57]. The associated factors were: short coat prevalence ratio (PR) = 2.33 (95% CI: 1.02 to 5.22); presence of backyard with predominance of soil and/or vegetation PR = 4.15 (95% CI: 1.35 to 12.77); and highest gross family income score PR = 2.03 (95% CI: 1.16 to 3.54). MAIN CONCLUSION This is the first study that relates higher socioeconomic status of dog owners as an independent factor associated with higher prevalence of VL infection, along with other strongly associated factors related to receptive environment for phlebotomines. Our findings strengthen the need for exploration of the biological and behavioural bases linking dog owner characteristics to the risk of canine infection in prospective cohort studies.

Telemedicina en la práctica del otorrinolaringólogo en el período de contingencia del COVID-19 / Telemedicine in the practice of the otolaryngologist in the contingency period of COVID-19

Introducción: la pandemia por el nuevo coronavirus nos ha afectado a todos y muchos hemos tenido que cerrar o disminuir sustancialmente nuestra práctica. Sin embargo, es necesario mantener la comunicación con nuestros pacientes que continúan requiriendo de nuestra atención y manejo. Es aquí donde la telemedicina en otorrinolaringología desempeña un papel muy importante. Métodos: se realizó una revisión narrativa de la literatura mediante una búsqueda en PUB-MED y EMBASE a conveniencia con respecto a la información disponible sobre telesalud y telemedicina en el área de la otorrinolaringología. Además, se incluyó literatura de asociaciones de otorrinolaringología a nivel mundial y lineamientos y normas del gobierno colombiano. Discusión: la telemedicina es una herramienta útil para la atención de pacientes durante esta contingencia. Debemos seguir ciertos parámetros, elegir adecuadamente a los pacientes y actuar con honestidad y buena fe. Se realizan sugerencias del beneficio de la telesalud y telemedicina, consideraciones especiales en nuestra práctica médica, alcances de los servicios mencionados e implementación de estos en nuestros consultorios e instituciones basados en la literatura disponible, normas legales y experiencia de los autores. Conclusión: en la práctica del otorrinolaringólogo, es posible implementar la telemedicina con el aval de las aseguradoras y la aceptación de los pacientes. Se debe ser extremadamente cuidadoso con el diligenciamiento de la historia clínica, con la formulación de medicamentos y la selección adecuada de los pacientes. La telemedicina en otorrinolaringología es una herramienta valiosa, que nos permite continuar atendiendo a pacientes seleccionados, al tiempo que los cuidamos a ellos y a nosotros.

Introduction: The pandemic due to the novel Coronavirus has affected all of us affecting substantially our practice. However, it is necessary to maintain communication with our patients who continue to require our services. It is here where telehealth and telemedicine in Otolaryngology play an important role. Methods: A narrative review of the literature was carried out through a search in PUB-MED and EMBASE regarding the information available on telehealth and telemedicine in the area of Otolaryngology. In addition, literature from Otolaryngology societies worldwide and guidelines and regulations of the Colombian government were included. Discussion: Telemedicine is useful for patient care in this contingency. We must follow certain parameters, carefully choose patients, and act in good faith. Suggestions are made on the benefit of telehealth and telemedicine, special considerations in our medical practice, the scope of the aforementioned services and their implementation in our offices and institutions based on the available literature, legal regulations and the authors' experience. Conclusion: In the practice of the Otolaryngologist it is possible to implement telemedicine with the endorsement of the insurers and the acceptance of patients. One must be extremely careful with the medical record and the prescription of medications and select patients appropriately. Otolaryngology telemedicine is a valuable tool that allows us to continue caring for selected patients by keeping them and ourselves safe.

Improving the reference standard for the diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis: a challenge for current and future tests

BACKGROUND Studies aimed at validating canine visceral leishmaniasis diagnostic tests present heterogeneous results regarding test accuracy, partly due to divergences in reference standards used and different infection evolution periods in animals. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of the rapid test-dual path platform (TR-DPP) (Biomanguinhos®), EIE-Leishmaniose-Visceral-Canina-Biomanguinhos (EIE-LVC) (Biomanguinhos®), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) rK39 (in-house), and the direct agglutination test (DAT-Canis) against a reference standard comprising parasitological and molecular techniques. METHODS A phase II/III validation study was carried out in sample sera from 123 predominantly asymptomatic dogs living in an area endemic for visceral leishmaniasis. FINDINGS Sixty-nine (56.1%) animals were considered infected according to the reference standard. For each test, the sensitivity and specificity, respectively, were as follows: TR-DPP, 21.74% [confidence interval (CI)95% 13.64% to 32.82%] and 92.59% (CI95% 82.45% to 97.08%); EIE-LVC, 11.59% (CI95% 5.9% to 21.25%) and 90.74% (CI95% 80.09% to 95.98%); ELISA rK39, 37.68% (CI95% 27.18% to 49.48%) and 83.33% (CI95% 71.26% to 90.98%); and DAT-Canis, 18.84% (CI95% 11.35% to 29.61%) and 96.30% (CI95% 87.46% to 98.98%). CONCLUSION We concluded that improving the sensitivity of serum testing for diagnosing asymptomatic dogs must constitute a priority in the process of developing new diagnostic tests to be used in the visceral leishmaniasis control program in Brazil.

Socioeconomic context of the community and chronic child malnutrition in Colombia / Contexto socioeconómico de la comunidad y desnutrición crónica infantil en Colombia

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To analyze the influence of the socioeconomic context of the community on chronic child malnutrition in Colombia. METHODS We estimated multilevel logistic models using data from the National Demographic and Health Survey in Colombia in 2010. The final sample included 11,448 children under the age of five gathered in 3,528 communities. In addition, we used the Principal Component Analysis with polychoric correlations for the construction of composed indicators of wealth, autonomy of the woman, and the use and access to the health system. RESULTS The average level of community wealth was significantly and independently associated with chronic malnutrition in early childhood, more than the socioeconomic status of the household itself. At the individual and household level, the probability of chronic malnutrition was higher for children from mothers with low levels of autonomy and use and access to the health system, mothers who had their first child in adolescence, and mothers who live in homes in the lowest wealth quintiles. In contrast, children from mothers with a body mass index > 25 and with at least secondary education (versus no education) were less likely to suffer from chronic malnutrition. CONCLUSIONS Research, programs, and interventions need to take into account the physical, economic, and social context of communities to contribute with the improvement of the nutritional status of early childhood in Colombia.

RESUMEN OBJETIVO Analizar la influencia del contexto socioeconómico de la comunidad sobre la desnutrición infantil crónica en Colombia. MÉTODOS Utilizando datos de la Encuesta Nacional de Demografía y Salud en Colombia en 2010, se estimaron modelos logísticos multinivel. La muestra final incluyó 11.448 niños menores de cinco años anidados en 3.528 comunidades. Además, se utilizó el Análisis de Componentes Principales usando correlaciones policóricas para la construcción de indicadores compuestos de riqueza, autonomía de la mujer y el uso y acceso al sistema de salud. RESULTADOS El nivel de riqueza promedio de la comunidad resultó significativa e independientemente asociado con la desnutrición crónica en la primera infancia, por encima y más allá del propio estatus socioeconómico del hogar. A nivel individual y del hogar, la probabilidad de desnutrición crónica fue mayor para niños de madres con bajos niveles de autonomía y uso y acceso al sistema de salud, que han tenido su primer hijo en la adolescencia y que viven en hogares en los quintiles más bajos de riqueza. En contraste, niños de madres con un índice de masa corporal > 25 y con al menos educación secundaria (versus sin educación) tuvieron menor probabilidad de padecer desnutrición crónica. CONCLUSIONES Investigaciones, programas e intervenciones que tengan en cuenta el contexto físico, económico y social de las comunidades son necesarias para contribuir a mejorar el estado nutricional de la primera infancia en Colombia.

Effectiveness of dog collars impregnated with 4% deltamethrin in controlling visceral leishmaniasis in Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidade: Phlebotominae) populations

BACKGROUND There is little information on the effect of using deltamethrin-impregnated dog collars for the control of canine visceral leishmaniasis. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of 4% deltamethrin-impregnated collars (Scalibor®) in controlling visceral leishmaniasis in Lutzomyia longipalpis by comparing populations in intervention and non-intervention areas. METHODS Phlebotomine flies were captured over 30 months in four neighbourhoods with intense visceral leishmaniasis transmission in Fortaleza and Montes Claros. We calculated the rates of domicile infestation, relative abundance of Lu. longipalpis, and Lu. longipalpis distribution in each site, capture location (intra- and peridomestic locations) and area (intervention and non-intervention areas). FINDINGS In the control area in Fortaleza, the relative abundance of Lu. longipalpis was 415 specimens at each capture site, whereas in the intervention area it was 159.25; in Montes Claros, the relative abundance was 5,660 specimens per capture site in the control area, whereas in the intervention area it was 2,499.4. The use of dog collars was associated with a reduction in captured insects of 15% (p = 0.004) and 60% (p < 0.001) in Montes Claros and Fortaleza, respectively. MAIN CONCLUSIONS We observed a lower vector abundance in the intervention areas, suggesting an effect of the insecticide-impregnated collars.

Validation and reliability of the rapid diagnostic test 'SD Bioeasy Dengue Duo' for dengue diagnosis in Brazil: a phase III study

BACKGROUND The diagnosis of dengue is complex. Until recently, only specialised laboratories were able to confirm dengue infection. However, this has changed with the newly available immunochromatographic rapid tests. Early diagnosis is of great interest, and point-of-care rapid tests have been increasingly used in Brazil. Most of those tests have not undergone validation in the Brazilian population. In this context, we decided to evaluate a rapid test introduced in the Federal District (FD). OBJECTIVES To estimate the accuracy and reliability of the SD Bioeasy Dengue Duo rapid test and its components to detect dengue infections in a consecutive sample of symptomatic residents in the FD, Brazil. METHODS In total, 1353 venous blood samples were collected between 2013 and 2014. Two hundred and six positive samples (cases) and 246 negative samples (non cases) were required for sensitivity and specificity estimation, respectively; for agreement evaluation, we used 401 samples. The reference standard used was a composite of MAC-ELISA, virus isolation and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The evaluation was conducted prospectively under field conditions in the public health units of the FD. FINDINGS The results for the overall accuracy of the rapid test (NS1/IgM combined) showed 76% sensitivity and 98% specificity. The sensitivity for the NS1 component (67%) was better than that for the IgM component (35%). The positive likelihood ratio was 46, and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.24. The reliability of the test (NS1/IgM combined) demonstrated crude agreement of 98% (Kappa index 0.94). MAIN CONCLUSIONS The present phase III, large-scale validation study demonstrates that the rapid test SD Bioeasy Dengue Duo has moderate sensitivity (NS1/IgM combined) and high specificity. Therefore, the test is useful in confirming the diagnosis of dengue, but not enough to rule out the diagnosis. Our results also suggest that Dengue virus (DENV) viral load estimated through the RT-qPCR and antibody level measured through the MAC-ELISA could have had a direct influence on the accuracy of the rapid test.

Early-onset neonatal sepsis and the implementation of group B streptococcus prophylaxis in a Brazilian maternity hospital: a descriptive study

Abstract Objectives: To describe early-onset neonatal sepsis (EOS) epidemiology in a public maternity hospital in Brasilia, Brazil. Methods: We defined EOS as a positive blood culture result obtained from infants aged ≤72 hours of life plus treatment with antibiotic therapy for ≥5 days. Incidence was calculated based on the number of cases and total live births (LB). This is a descriptive study comparing the period of 2012-2013 with the period of 2014-September 2015, before and after implementation of antibiotic prophylaxis during labor for group B streptococcus (GBS) prevention, respectively. Results: Overall, 36 infants developed EOS among 21,219 LB (1.7 cases per 1000 LB) and 16 died (case fatality rate of 44%). From 2014, 305 vaginal-rectal swabs were collected from high-risk women and 74 (24%) turned out positive for GBS. After implementation of GBS prevention guidelines, no new cases of GBS were detected, and the EOS incidence was reduced from 1.9 (95% CI 1.3-2.8) to 1.3 (95% CI 0.7-2.3) cases per 1000 LB from 2012-2013 to 2014-September 2015 (p = 0.32). Conclusions: Although the reduction of EOS incidence was not significant, GBS colonization among pregnant women was high, no cases of neonatal GBS have occurred after implementation of prevention guidelines.

Efficacy and safety of amphotericin B deoxycholate versus N-methylglucamine antimoniate in pediatric visceral leishmaniasis: an open-label, randomized, and controlled pilot trial in Brazil

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION Despite their high toxicity, antimonials and amphotericin B deoxycholate are commonly used for treating visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Few studies showing conflictive data about their efficacy and adverse events in pediatric population are available. This study aimed to evaluate efficacy and safety of amphotericin B deoxycholate vs. that of N-methylglucamine antimoniate in treating pediatric VL in Brazil. METHODS This was a randomized, open-label, 2-arm and controlled pilot clinical trial. Treatment naïve children and adolescents with VL without signs of severe illness were treated with N-methylglucamine antimoniate (20mg/kg/day for 20 days) or amphotericin B deoxycholate (1 mg/kg/day for 14 days). All patients were diagnosed with positive direct examination and/or positive PCR for Leishmania spp. performed in bone marrow samples. The primary efficacy end-point was VL cure determined after 180 days of completion of treatment. The analysis was performed using intention-to-treat (ITT) and per protocol (PP) analyses. RESULTS In total, 101 volunteers were assessed. Efficacy was similar for both groups. The antimonial (n=51) and amphotericin B groups (n=50) had a cure rate of 94.1% and 100%, and 94% and 97.9% according to ITT and PP analyses, respectively. All patients reported adverse events (AE). Serious AE incidence was similar in both groups. Five individuals were excluded from the study because of severe adverse events. CONCLUSIONS N-methylglucamine antimoniate and amphotericin B deoxycholate have similar efficacy and adverse events rate in pediatric patients with VL.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and the use of primaquine: top-down and bottom-up estimation of professional costs / Deficiência de glicose-6-fosfato desidrogenase e uso de primaquina: estimativa de custos de profissionais por macrocusteio e microcusteio

ABSTRACT The aim of this study has been to study whether the top-down method, based on the average value identified in the Brazilian Hospitalization System (SIH/SUS), is a good estimator of the cost of health professionals per patient, using the bottom-up method for comparison. The study has been developed from the context of hospital care offered to the patient carrier of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency with severe adverse effect because of the use of primaquine, in the Brazilian Amazon. The top-down method based on the spending with SIH/SUS professional services, as a proxy for this cost, corresponded to R$60.71, and the bottom-up, based on the salaries of the physician (R$30.43), nurse (R$16.33), and nursing technician (R$5.93), estimated a total cost of R$52.68. The difference was only R$8.03, which shows that the amounts paid by the Hospital Inpatient Authorization (AIH) are estimates close to those obtained by the bottom-up technique for the professionals directly involved in the care.

RESUMO A pesquisa teve por objetivo estudar se o macrocusteio, baseado no valor médio identificado no Sistema de Internação Hospitalar (SIH/SUS), constitui um bom estimador do custo de profissionais de saúde por paciente, tendo como comparação o método de microcusteio. O estudo foi desenvolvido no contexto da assistência hospitalar oferecida ao portador da deficiência de glicose-6-fosfato desidrogenase (dG6PD) do sexo masculino com evento adverso grave devido ao uso da primaquina, na Amazônia Brasileira. O macrocusteio baseado no gasto em serviços profissionais do SIH/SUS, como proxy desse custo, correspondeu a R$60,71, e o microcusteio, baseado nos salários do médico (R$30,43), do enfermeiro (R$16,33) e do técnico de enfermagem (R$5,93), estimou um custo total de R$52,68. A diferença foi de apenas R$8,03, mostrando que os valores pagos pela Autorização de Internação Hospitalar (AIH) são estimadores próximos daqueles obtidos por técnica de microcusteio para os profissionais envolvidos diretamente no cuidado.

Validation of the rapid test carestart(tm) G6PD among malaria vivax-infected subjects in the Brazilian Amazon

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: In the Brazilian Amazon, malaria infections are primarily caused by Plasmodium vivax. The only drug that kills the hypnozoite form of P. vivax is primaquine, thereby preventing relapse. However, treating glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)-deficient individuals with primaquine can lead to severe hemolysis. G6PD deficiency (G6PDd) affects approximately 400 million people worldwide, most of whom live in malaria-endemic areas. Therefore, clinicians need tools that can easily and reliably identify individuals with G6PDd. This study estimated the accuracy of the Carestart(tm) G6PD rapid test (Access Bio) in the diagnosis of G6PDd in male participants with and without P. vivax acute malaria. METHODS: Male participants were recruited in Manaus. Malaria diagnosis was determined by thick blood smear. G6PD quantitative analysis was performed spectro photometrically at a wave length of 340nm. The Carestart(tm) G6PD test was performed using venous blood. Genotyping was performed for individuals whose samples had an enzyme activity less than 70% of the normal value. RESULTS: Six hundred and seventy-four male participants were included in this study, of whom 320 had a diagnosis of P. vivax malaria. In individuals with enzyme activity lower than 30% (n=13), the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the Carestart(tm) G6PD test were as follows: 61.5% (95%CI: 35.5%-82.3%), 98.3% (95%CI: 97.0%-99.1%), 42.1% (95%CI: 23.1%-63.7%), and 99.2% (95%CI: 98.2%-82.3%), 98.3% (95%CI: 97.0%-99.1%), 42.1% (95%CI: 23.1%-63.7%), and 99.2% (95%CI: 98.2%-99.7%), respectively. Increases in sensitivity were observed when increasing the cut-off value. CONCLUSIONS: Despite low sensitivity, Carestart(tm) G6PD remains a good alternative for rapid diagnosis of G6PDd in malaria-endemic regions.

Insuficiencia suprarrenal relativa en pacientes cirróticos / Adrenal insufficiency in cirrhotic patients

La insuficiencia suprarrenal relativa (ISR) es frecuente en pacientes cirróticos con sepsis grave, asociándose a un pobre pronóstico. Se desconoce su importancia en condiciones de enfermedad estable. El objetivo del trabajo ha sido evaluar la prevalencia de la ISR en una serie de pacientes cirróticos estables y su relación con el deterioro de la función hepática. Se determinó el impacto de la ISR en la supervivencia y se correlacionaron los niveles entre el cortisol basal en plasma y saliva en sujetos controles y cirróticos. Fueron incluidos 47 pacientes ambulatorios y 16 controles. La funcionalidad del eje hipotalámico-pituitario-suprarrenal se valoró mediante la prueba de estimulación con 250 μg de ACTH sintética EV, definiendo la ISR como delta cortisol < 9 μg/dl. Respecto al grado de deterioro de la función hepática, 22 tenían un Child-Pugh ≤ 8 y 25 pacientes = 9. La prevalencia de ISR fue de un 22%, siendo significativamente más elevada en aquellos con mayor deterioro de la función hepática (8/32 vs. 3/13, p < 0.05). Se observó correlación entre el cortisol salival y el plasmático basal (r = 0.6, p < 0.0004). Por último, la supervivencia fue más elevada en los pacientes sin ISR al año (97%) y a los tres años (91%) que aquellos que desarrollaron esta complicación (79 % y 51%, p < 0.05, respectivamente). En resumen, la prevalencia de ISR es elevada en los pacientes con cirrosis estable y se relaciona con un deterioro de la función hepática y una mayor mortalidad.

Relative adrenal insufficiency (RAI) is a common finding in cirrhotic patients with severe sepsis, and increased mortality. Its significance is unknown in stable conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of RAI in stable cirrhotic patients at different stages of the disease. Also, the impact of RAI on the survival was evaluated and basal cortisol levels between plasma and saliva was correlated in control subjects and cirrhotic patients. Forty seven ambulatory patients and 16 control subjects were studied. RAI was defined as a serum cortisol increase of less than 9 μg/dl from baseline after the stimulation with 250 mg of synthetic ACTH. Twenty two had Child-Pugh ≤ 8 and 25 = 9. The prevalence of RAI in patients with stable cirrhosis was 22%. A higher incidence of RAI was observed in patients with a Child-Pugh = 9 (8/32) than in those with ≤ 8 (3/13, p < 0.05). A correlation between salivary cortisol and basal plasma cortisol (r = 0.6, p < 0.0004) was observed. Finally, survival at 1 year (97%) and 3 years (91%) was significantly higher without RAI than those who developed this complication (79% and 51%, p < 0.05, respectively). In summary, the prevalence of RAI is frequent in patients with stable cirrhosis and that it is related to the severity of liver diseaseand increased mortality.

Treatment of fistula-in-ano with cyanoacrylate glue with and without prior seton placement in rats

ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of ethyl-cyanoacrylate in the treatment of fístula-in-ano in rats with and without prior seton placement. METHODS: Thirty rats Wistar with fístula-in-ano produced surgically, distributed in three groups: group A (ethyl-cyanoacrylate) - treated by application of ethyl-cyanoacrylate into fístula tract; group B (seton + ethyl-cyanoacrylate) - seton placement followed by application of ethyl-cyanoacrylate into fístula tract, 30 days later; group C (control) - no treatment. After 60 days the animals were submited to euthanasia and the specimens were analyzed by pathologist. The results were analyzed by Chi-square test with significant value of p<0.05. RESULTS: One animal of group B died. Were found tracts fully healed: 7, 5 and 2, in groups A, B and C, respectivelly. There was a statistically significant difference between groups A and C (p=0.02). When joined all animals treated with glue (A + B) compared to group C there was also statistically significant difference (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The use of ethyl-cyanoacrylate glue was effective in closing anal fistulae in rats. There was no advantage in the prior application of seton.

Are opossums a relevant factor associated with asymptomatic Leishmania infection in the outskirts of the largest Brazilian cities?

Abstract A population survey was conducted to explore the prevalence and factors associated with Leishmania infection in the Fercal region of the Federal District. The Fercal region is a group of neighborhoods in Brasília in which the first cases of visceral leishmaniasis were described. Leishmania infection was established by a positive leishmanin test. Although other tests were performed in the study (an immunochromatographic assay (Kalazar detect®) and a molecular assay), only the leishmanin skin test provided sufficient results for the measurement of the disease prevalence. Data on the epidemiological, clinical and environmental characteristics of individuals were collected along with the diagnostic tests. After sampling and enrollment, seven hundred people from 2 to 14 years of age were included in the study. The prevalence of Leishmania infection was 33.28% (95% CI 29.87–36.84). The factors associated with Leishmania infection according to the multivariate analysis were age of more than seven years and the presence of opossums near the home. Age is a known factor associated with Leishmania infection; however, the presence of wild animals, as described, is an understudied factor. The presence of opossums, which are known reservoirs of Leishmania, in peri-urban areas could be the link between the rural and urban occurrence of visceral leishmaniasis in the outskirts of largest Brazilian cities, as suggested by previous studies.

Sensitivity and specificity of parallel or serial serological testing for detection of canine Leishmania infection

In Brazil, human and canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) caused byLeishmania infantum has undergone urbanisation since 1980, constituting a public health problem, and serological tests are tools of choice for identifying infected dogs. Until recently, the Brazilian zoonoses control program recommended enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and indirect immunofluorescence assays (IFA) as the screening and confirmatory methods, respectively, for the detection of canine infection. The purpose of this study was to estimate the accuracy of ELISA and IFA in parallel or serial combinations. The reference standard comprised the results of direct visualisation of parasites in histological sections, immunohistochemical test, or isolation of the parasite in culture. Samples from 98 cases and 1,327 noncases were included. Individually, both tests presented sensitivity of 91.8% and 90.8%, and specificity of 83.4 and 53.4%, for the ELISA and IFA, respectively. When tests were used in parallel combination, sensitivity attained 99.2%, while specificity dropped to 44.8%. When used in serial combination (ELISA followed by IFA), decreased sensitivity (83.3%) and increased specificity (92.5%) were observed. Serial testing approach improved specificity with moderate loss in sensitivity. This strategy could partially fulfill the needs of public health and dog owners for a more accurate diagnosis of CVL.

Polymerase chain reaction-based method for the identification of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and Leishmania (Viannia) guyanensis in mucosal tissues conserved in paraffin

ABSTRACTINTRODUCTION: In the Americas, mucosal leishmaniasis is primarily associated with infection by Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. However, Leishmania (Viannia) guyanensis is another important cause of this disease in the Brazilian Amazon. In this study, we aimed at detecting Leishmaniadeoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) within paraffin-embedded fragments of mucosal tissues, and characterizing the infecting parasite species.METHODS: We evaluated samples collected from 114 patients treated at a reference center in the Brazilian Amazon by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses.RESULTS: Direct examination of biopsy imprints detected parasites in 10 of the 114 samples, while evaluation of hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides detected amastigotes in an additional 17 samples. Meanwhile, 31/114 samples (27.2%) were positive for Leishmania spp. kinetoplast deoxyribonucleic acid (kDNA) by PCR analysis. Of these, 17 (54.8%) yielded amplification of the mini-exon PCR target, thereby allowing for PCR-RFLP-based identification. Six of the samples were identified as L. (V.) braziliensis, while the remaining 11 were identified as L. (V.) guyanensis.CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate the feasibility of applying molecular techniques for the diagnosis of human parasites within paraffin-embedded tissues. Moreover, our findings confirm that L. (V.) guyanensisis a relevant causative agent of mucosal leishmaniasis in the Brazilian Amazon.