Alergia às proteínas do leite de vaca: efetividade clínica dos testes cutâneos de leitura imediata em crianças atendidas em hospital terciário / Allergy to cow's milk proteins: clinical effectiveness of immediate-read skin tests in children attending a tertiary hospital

INTRODUÇÃO: O leite de vaca é a maior causa de alergia alimentar na infância. O teste de provocação oral duplo cego placebo controlado (TPODCPC) é considerado padrão ouro no diagnóstico, mas dificuldades relacionadas à sua realização têm estimulado a utilização dos testes cutâneos de leitura imediata (TCLI) complementando a história clínica como alternativa no diagnóstico. OBJETIVO: avaliar a efetividade deste meio diagnóstico em crianças com alergia às proteínas do leite de vaca (APLV) atendidas em hospital terciário. MÉTODOS: os dados de anamnese e os resultados dos TCLI foram extraídos dos registros dos prontuários médicos em estudo observacional, transversal, retrospectivo. Os reagentes utilizados foram extrato alergênico comercial e leite de vaca in natura. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídas 103 crianças, com mediana de idade de 41,2 (24,0;72,0) meses. Como desfecho, avaliou-se a presença de sintomas relacionados à alergia ao leite de vaca mediante seu consumo. A maioria das crianças com história pouco sugestiva de APLV e resultados dos testes negativos (79 crianças) foi orientada a introduzir o leite de vaca em domicílio. Entre elas, três (3,8%) apresentaram reações leves (diarreia e eczema) e não houve relato de anafilaxia. Considerando o valor de cut off de 3 mm para os TCLI, os dois extratos alergênicos demostraram ser úteis na avaliação das crianças com APLV, mas o leite de vaca in natura mostrou melhor sensibilidade (86,4%) e maior valor preditivo negativo (96,2%) quando comparado ao extrato alergênico comercial (IC95%). A análise da história clínica complementada pelos resultados dos TCLI possibilitou reintroduzir o leite de vaca em 81 crianças (78,6%), sem necessidade de teste de provocação...(AU)

Neonatal screening for severe combined immunodeficiency in Brazil / Triagem neonatal para imunodeficiência combinada grave no Brasil

Abstract Objective To apply, in Brazil, the T-cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) quantification technique using real-time polymerase chain reaction in newborn screening for severe combined immunodeficiency and assess the feasibility of implementing it on a large scale in Brazil. Methods 8715 newborn blood samples were collected on filter paper and, after DNA elution, TRECs were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The cutoff value to determine whether a sample was abnormal was determined by ROC curve analysis, using SSPS. Results The concentration of TRECs in 8,682 samples ranged from 2 to 2,181 TRECs/µL of blood, with mean and median of 324 and 259 TRECs/µL, respectively. Forty-nine (0.56%) samples were below the cutoff (30 TRECs/µL) and were reanalyzed. Four (0.05%) samples had abnormal results (between 16 and 29 TRECs/µL). Samples from patients previously identified as having severe combined immunodeficiency or DiGeorge syndrome were used to validate the assay and all of them showed TRECs below the cutoff. Preterm infants had lower levels of TRECs than full-term neonates. The ROC curve showed a cutoff of 26 TRECs/µL, with 100% sensitivity for detecting severe combined immunodeficiency. Using this value, retest and referral rates were 0.43% (37 samples) and 0.03% (3 samples), respectively. Conclusion The technique is reliable and can be applied on a large scale after the training of technical teams throughout Brazil.

Resumo Objetivo Aplicar no Brasil a técnica de quantificação de T-cell Receptor Excision Circles (TRECs) por PCR em tempo real para triagem neonatal de imunodeficiência combinada grave (SCID) e avaliar se é possível fazê-la em grande escala em nosso país. Métodos Foram coletadas em papel filtro 8.715 amostras de sangue de recém-nascidos e, após eluição do DNA, os TRECs foram quantificados por PCR em tempo real. O valor de corte para determinar se uma amostra é anormal foi determinado pela análise de curva ROC com o programa SSPS. Resultados A concentração de TRECs em 8.682 amostras analisadas variou entre 2 e 2.181 TRECs/µL de sangue, com média e mediana de 324 e 259 TRECs/µL, respectivamente. Das amostras, 49 (0,56%) ficaram abaixo do valor de corte (30 TRECs/µL) e foram requantificadas. Quatro (0,05%) mantiveram resultados anormais (entre 16 e 29 TRECs/µL). Amostras de pacientes com diagnóstico clínico prévio de SCID e síndrome de DiGeorge foram usadas para validar o ensaio e todas apresentaram concentração de TRECs abaixo do valor de corte. Recém-nascidos prematuros apresentaram menores níveis de TRECs comparados com os nascidos a termo. Com o uso da curva ROC em nossos dados, chegamos ao valor de corte de 26 TRECs/µL, com sensibilidade de 100% para detecção de SCID. Com o uso desse valor, as taxas de repetição e encaminhamento ficaram em 0,43% (37 amostras) e 0,03% (3 amostras), respectivamente. Conclusão A técnica é factível e pode ser implantada em grande escala, após treinamento técnico das equipes envolvidas.

Water quality and concentration of alkylphenols in rivers used as source of drinking water and flowing through urban areas

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To examine nonylphenol (NP) and 4-t-octylphenol (OP) concentrations and general water quality indicators along a river in the greater Tokyo area and to specify the distribution and origin of alkylphenols.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Water was sampled from the Edogawa River, a main river in the greater Tokyo area, which is a source of public drinking water; and the Sakagawa River system, a tributary of the Edogawa River. To determine alkylphenol in river water. NP and OP concentrations were quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The detection rates of NP above the detection limit were 100% in both rivers, and those of OP were 75.0% in the Edogawa River and 92.9% in the Sakagawa River system. The median NP and OP concentrations in the Edogawa River were 0.24 μg/1 and 0.066 μg/l, and those in the Sakagawa River system were 0.87 μg/l and 0.19 μg/l respectively. Alkylphenol concentrations are significantly higher in the Sakagawa River system than in the Edogawa River. In the Sakagawa River system, the NP and OP concentrations were highest in the water along the nonindustrial area with an underdeveloped sewerage system.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>NP and OP were detected widely in the Edogawa River and Sakagawa River system. Endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) pollution in a river by the inflow of urban wastewater was demonstrated. A systematic monitoring of alkylphenols in tributary rivers and streams as well as in main rivers will help control EDC pollution and protect the source of drinking water in urban areas.</p>

Water Quality and Concentration of Alkylphenols in Rivers Used as Source of Drinking Water and Flowing through Urban Areas

Objectives: To examine nonylphenol (NP) and 4-t-octylphenol (OP) concentrations and general water quality indicators along a river in the greater Tokyo area and to specify the distribution and origin of alkylphenols. Methods: Water was sampled from the Edogawa River, a main river in the greater Tokyo area, which is a source of public drinking water; and the Sakagawa River system, a tributary of the Edogawa River. To determine alkylphenol in river water, NP and OP concentrations were quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results: The detection rates of NP above the detection limit were 100% in both rivers, and those of OP were 75.0% in the Edogawa River and 92.9% in the Sakagawa River system. The median NP and OP concentrations in the Edogawa River were 0.24 μg/l and 0.066 μg/l, and those in the Sakagawa River system were 0.87 μg/l and 0.19 μg/l respectively. Alkylphenol concentrations are significantly higher in the Sakagawa River system than in the Edogawa River. In the Sakagawa River system, the NP and OP concentrations were highest in the water along the nonindustrial area with an underdeveloped sewerage system. Conclusions: NP and OP were detected widely in the Edogawa River and Sakagawa River system. Endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) pollution in a river by the inflow of urban wastewater was demonstrated. A systematic monitoring of alkylphenols in tributary rivers and streams as well as in main rivers will help control EDC pollution and protect the source of drinking water in urban areas.