Hepatitis A seroprevalence among special populations in the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Area, Brazil / Soroprevalência da hepatite A entre populações especiais na Região Metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil / Seroprevalencia de la hepatitis A en poblaciones especiales em el Área Metropolitana de Río de Janeiro, Brasil

The objectives were to estimate hepatitis A virus seroprevalence in subjects attending to a travel medicine and immunization clinic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and to develop a prediction model for hepatitis A virus seroprevalence. This retrospective research included individuals sequentially from April 2011 to June 2019 at a travel medicine and special population immunization clinic with an anti-hepatitis A virus IgG chemiluminescence result. Participants' data were verified via electronic medical records. Data were split into development and validation set taking 2018 as the date break. A cross-validated elastic generalized linear model with binomial distribution was performed. In total, 2,944 subjects were analyzed. Hepatitis A virus overall seroprevalence was 67.8%. Health professionals, travelers, and those who had contact with immunocompromised subjects had lower seroprevalence (40%-55%), whereas subjects with chronic conditions (heart, lung, and liver) ranged from 89% to 94%. The retained predictors in the final model were sex, age, year of birth, travelers, HIV/AIDS, spleen dysfunction, transplant candidates, household communicators, cancer-related immunosuppression, health care professionals. Area under the curve was 0.836 and maximum error was 0.051. Users can make predictions with the following calculator: https://pedrobrasil.shinyapps.io/INDWELL/. The groups with lower seroprevalence should be evaluated more carefully regarding need for hepatitis A virus vaccination even when they seek immunization clinics for other purposes.

Este estudo teve como objetivo estimar a soroprevalência do vírus da hepatite A, em indivíduos atendidos em uma clínica de medicina de viagem e imunização no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, e desenvolver um modelo de predição para a soroprevalência do vírus da hepatite A. Esta pesquisa retrospectiva incluiu indivíduos sequencialmente de abril de 2011 a junho de 2019, em uma clínica de medicina de viagem e uma clínica de vacinação de população especial, que, por qualquer motivo, tem um resultado de quimioluminescência IgG antivírus da hepatite A . Os dados dos participantes foram verificados em prontuário eletrônico. Os dados foram divididos em desenvolvimento e validação, tomando 2018 como data limite da divisão. Um modelo linear generalizado elástico com distribuição binomial submetido a validação cruzada foi aplicado. Foram analisados 2.944 indivíduos atendidos. A soroprevalência geral do vírus da hepatite A foi de 67,8%. Profissionais de saúde, viajantes e contatantes de indivíduos imunocomprometidos apresentaram menor soroprevalência, variando de 40% a 55%, enquanto indivíduos com condições crônicas (coração, pulmão e fígado) tiveram soroprevalência variando de 89% a 94%. Os preditores retidos no modelo final foram sexo, idade, ano de nascimento, viajantes, HIV/aids, asplenia funcional, candidatos a transplante, comunicante domiciliar, imunossupressão relacionada ao câncer e profissionais de saúde. A área sob a curva foi de 0,836 e o erro máximo foi de 0,051. Os usuários podem fazer previsões com uma calculadora (https://pedrobrasil.shinyapps.io/INDWELL/). Os grupos com menor soroprevalência devem ser avaliados com mais cuidado quanto à necessidade de vacinação contra o vírus da hepatite A, mesmo quando procuram clínicas de vacinação para outros fins.

Los objetivos del estudio son estimar la seroprevalencia de hepatitis A en sujetos que asisten a una clínica de medicina para viajeros e inmunización en Río de Janeiro, Brasil, y desarrollar un modelo de predicción de la seroprevalencia de hepatitis A. Esta investigación de seguimiento retrospectivo incluyó a individuos de forma secuencial desde abril de 2011 hasta junio de 2019 en una clínica de medicina para viajeros y de vacunación de poblaciones especiales que por cualquier motivo tienen un resultado de quimioluminiscencia IgG anti-hepatitis A. Los datos de los participantes se verificaron en los registros médicos electrónicos. Los datos se dividieron en conjunto de desarrollo y validación tomando 2018 como fecha de corte. Se realizó un modelo lineal generalizado validado cruzado elástico con distribución binomial. Se analizaron un total de 2.944 sujetos atendidos. La seroprevalencia global del hepatitis A fue del 67,8%. Los profesionales sanitarios, los viajeros y las personas en contacto con sujetos inmunodeprimidos presentaron una seroprevalencia más baja, que osciló entre el 40% y el 55%, mientras que los sujetos con afecciones crónicas (cardíacas, pulmonares y hepáticas) presentaron una seroprevalencia que varió entre el 89% y el 94%. Los predictores retenidos en el modelo final fueron el sexo, la edad, el año de nacimiento, los viajeros, el VIH/SIDA, la disfunción del bazo, los candidatos a trasplante, los comunicadores domésticos, la inmunosupresión relacionada con el cáncer y los profesionales sanitarios. Su área bajo la curva fue de 0,836 y el error máximo de 0,051. Los usuarios pueden hacer predicciones con una calculadora (https://pedrobrasil.shinyapps.io/INDWELL/). Los grupos con menor seroprevalencia deben ser evaluados más cuidadosamente en cuanto a la necesidad de vacunación contra hepatitis A, incluso cuando acudan a las clínicas de vacunación con otros fines.

American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis: case series describing an enigmatic and neglected disease / Leishmaniasis americana tegumentaria: series de casos describiendo una enigmática y olvidada enfermedad

Abstract American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis (ATL) is an infectious disease affecting the skin and mucous membranes. ATL is caused by parasites of the Leishmania genus with around one million cases are reported each year worldwide. This paper describes three rare cases of tegumentary leishmaniasis treated at a tropical disease research center.

Resumen La Leishmaniasis Tegumentaria Americana es una enfermedad infecciosa que afecta la piel y las mucosas. La ATL es causada por parásitos del género Leishmania y cada año se reportan alrededor de un millón de casos en todo el mundo. Este artículo describe tres casos raros de leishmaniasis tegumentaria tratados en un centro de investigación de enfermedades tropicales.

MALARIA: NARRATIVE REVIEW

Malaria is a vector-borne tropical parasitic disease that occurs through the bite of a female Anopheles spp mosquito that transmits protozoa of the genus Plasmodium. P. vivax and P. falciparum are the most frequent species. The clinical presentation of the disease is a febrile syndrome accompanied by nonspeci?c symptoms. Diagnosis is based on tests for microscopic detection of the parasite (thick smear, blood smear) or rapid antigen diagnostic tests. Treatment will depend on the infecting species of plasmodium and whether it is a complicated disease. There are multiple tools for prevention such as the use of mosquito nets, repellents, chemoprevention, and vaccination. Various strategies have been proposed for its eradication, considering that it is a public health problem and represents a great burden of morbidity and mortality worldwide.

Travel Medicine in the Dominican Republic / La Medicina del Viajero en República Dominicana

Introduction: Travel Medicine specialty has existed for more than 40 years. However, this is practically unknown by Dominicans despite the large number of people who travel to and from our country. Methods: With the objective of determining the knowledge of Dominicans about the existence of Travel Medicine specialty and their attitudes in relation to it, we conducted a virtual survey of 8 questions, in which 2,584 Dominicans participated. Results: Despite the fact that more than 80 % of those surveyed knew that to travel to certain countries they had to take certain vaccines, less than 25 % had heard of the specialty of Traveler's Medicine. After knowing the definition and objectives of the specialty, more than 90 % of the participants considered it important to consult a specialist prior to the trip. Conclusion: The lack of knowledge of the specialty and the absence of this service in the public health system are the main barriers to the access of Dominicans to the Travel Medicine consultation. It is necessary to publicize the specialty, using scientific evidence and taking as an example the worldwide dissemination of COVID-19 through travelers, to make the population aware of the importance of pre and post-trip consultation, as well as the creation of this service in public hospitals

Introducción: la especialidad Medicina del Viajero existe hace más de 40 años. Sin embargo, esta es prácticamente desconocida por los dominicanos a pesar de la gran cantidad de personas que viajan desde y hacia nuestro país. Material y métodos: Con el objetivo de determinar el conocimiento de los dominicanos sobre la existencia de la Medicina del Viajero y sus actitudes en relación a esta, realizamos una encuesta virtual de 8 preguntas, de la cual participaron 2,584 dominicanos. Resultados: a pesar de que más del 80 % de los encuestados sabían que para viajar a determinados países debían tomar ciertas vacunas, menos del 25 % había escuchado hablar de la especialidad Medicina del Viajero. Tras conocer la definición y objetivos de la especialidad más del 90 % de los participantes consideró importante realizar una consulta previa al viaje con un especialista. Conclusión: el desconocimiento de la especialidad y la ausencia de este servicio en el sistema público de salud son las principales barreras para el acceso de los dominicanos a la consulta de Medicina del Viajero. Es necesario dar a conocer la especialidad, utilizando evidencia científica y tomando como ejemplo la difusión mundial de la COVID-19 a través de los viajeros, concienciar a la población de la importancia de la consulta pre y post viaje, así como la creación de este servicio en hospitales públicos

Efectos de la migración venezolana sobre la notificación de casos de VIH en Colombia / Effects of the Venezuelan migration phenomenon on the notification of HIV cases in Colombia

Resumen Introducción: En la última década, millones de venezolanos han emigrado de su país; Colombia ha sido su principal destino. Es importante evaluar las repercusiones de la migración sobre eventos de interés en salud pública como la infección por el VIH, a fin de adoptar políticas pertinentes para atender la epidemia. Sin embargo, la información del estado de salud de la población migrante y su impacto sobre la salud pública en Colombia es escasa. Objetivos: Evaluar el papel de los casos de VIH importados desde Venezuela en el comportamiento del evento VIH/SIDA/ mortalidad por VIH en Colombia. Metodología: Mediante cálculo integral se compara el área bajo las curvas de casos de VIH totales e importados notificados al Sistema Nacional de Vigilancia en Salud Pública de Colombia. Resultados: La curva de casos de VIH importados desde Venezuela tiene una contribución menor (2,26 %) en el incremento de casos notificados en Colombia. Conclusiones: La migración venezolana no es el principal factor responsable del incremento de casos de VIH en Colombia, deben evaluarse otros factores involucrados en la difusión de la pandemia a nivel local.

Abstract Introduction: Millions of Venezuelans have emigrated due to their country's socio-economic crisis in the last decade; Colombia has been their main destination. To adopt relevant policies to address the problem, it is important to assess the impact of migration on public health interest events such as HIV infection. However, information on the health status of immigrants and its repercussions on public health in Colombia is scarce. Objective: Outline how the Venezuelan migration phenomenon has impacted HIV notification within Colombia. Methodology: Through an integral calculation, the area under the curves of total and imported HIV cases reported to the National Public Health Surveillance System of Colombia are compared. Incidence measures are carried out among the migrant population and the Colombian regions with the highest concentration of migrants are analyzed in greater depth. Results: The curve of HIV cases imported from Venezuela has a smaller contribution (2.26%) in the increase of cases notified in Colombia. Conclusions: The migratory crisis is not the main cause responsible for the increase in cases in Colombia. Other factors involved in the spread of the pandemic at the local level must be evaluated.

Scorpions from the province of Misiones, Argentina: An assemblage of medical interest / Escorpiones de la provincia de misiones, argentina: un elenco de interés médico

RESUMEN INTRODUCCIÓN : Los envenenamientos producidos por escorpiones son un problema de salud pública en constante aumento en Argentina y el mundo. Por diversas causas, los ensambles de animales venenosos de una región varían en el tiempo. El objetivo de este trabajo fue presentar la información reciente y actualizar el elenco de escorpiones de la provincia de Misiones. MÉTODOS : Se realizó un estudio descriptivo observacional a partir de la revisión de los ejemplares depositados en la Colección de Herpetología y Arácnidos del Instituto Nacional de Medicina Tropical. RESULTADOS : Se obtuvieron los primeros registros para la provincia de Títyusconfluens, mientras que nuevos registros de accidentes con Títyus trívíttatus ampliaron la zona de presencia de la especie en la provincia. El ensamble de escorpiones de Misiones reúne a las cuatro especies de interés médico del país. DISCUSIÓN : La detección del elenco de escorpiones de interés médico más importante del país fue consecuencia del trabajo conjunto entre los especialistas de los distintos grupos de animales ponzoñosos y los profesionales de la salud. Es importante generar y profundizar los espacios de interacción de saberes, con el objetivo de mejorar la Vigilancia de la Salud.

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION : Scorpíon poísoníng ís a growíng publíc health problem ín Argentina and around the world. For varíous reasons, the poísonous animal assemblages ín a regíon vary over tíme. The aím of thís work was to present recent ínformatíon and update the assemblage of scorpions ín the province of Misiones. METHODS : An observatíonal descríptíve study was carríed out by revíewíng the specímens deposíted ín the Collectíon of Herpetology and Arachníds of the National Instítute of Tropical Medicine. RESULTS : The first records of Tityus confluens were obtaíned for the province, whíle new records of accídents wíth Tityus trivittatus extended the area of presence of the specíes ín the province. The scorpíon assemblage of Misiones gathers all the four specíes of medical interest ín the country. DISCUSSION : The detectíon of the most ímportant assemblage of scorpions of medical interest ín the country arose from the joínt work between specíalísts ín the dífferent groups of poísonous anímals and health professíonals. It ís ímportant to generate and deepen the spaces of knowledge ínteractíon, wíth the objectíve of ímprovíng Health Surveíllance.

Adherence to malaria prophylaxis among travelers from a middle-income country

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Malaria is the main cause of death by infection among travelers and is preventable through a combination of chemoprophylaxis and personal protective measures. METHODS: Travelers were interviewed by phone 28-90 days after returning, to assess adherence to pre-travel advice for malaria prevention. RESULTS: A total 57 travelers were included. Adherence to chemoprophylaxis was significantly higher among participants prescribed mefloquine (n=18; 75%) than doxycycline (n=14; 45%). Adherence to mosquito repellent and bed net use was 65% and 67%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to malaria prophylaxis was lower than expected. Further studies testing innovative approaches to motivate travelers' compliance are required.

Addressing travelers' perception of risk in pre-travel care: Reports from a travel clinic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Travel medicine is aimed at promoting health risk reduction. However, travelers' perception of risk is subjective and may influence implementation of recommendations. This study reports on travelers' perception of risk, pre-travel characteristics, and recommended interventions. METHODS: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. RESULTS: This study included 111 individuals. Most travelers (74%) perceived their risk as low. Significant differences in travel-related risk perception between practitioners and travelers were observed (Gwet's agreement coefficient [AC1] 0.23; standard error 0.10; 95% confidence interval 0.02-0.44). CONCLUSIONS: Future studies should investigate the relationship between travelers' perception of risk and implementation of recommendations.

Determinants of Compliance of Travelers with Vaccination and Malaria Prophylaxis at a Travel Clinic

BACKGROUND: Pre-travel medical consultation is essential to reduce health impairment during travel. Yellow fever vaccination (YFV) is mandatory to enter some endemic countries. In this study, we evaluated the factors that affect compliance with appropriate prevention of infectious diseases in travelers who visited clinic for YFV. METHODS: For this retrospective study, chart reviews for 658 patients who visited a travel clinic for YFV before travel were conducted. The period of this study was from January 2016 to September 2018. The associations between appropriate vaccination and factors such as travel duration, destination, time of visiting clinic before departure, and purpose of travel were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 658 patients who got YFV during the study period, 344 patients (52.3%) received additional vaccination or malaria prophylaxis following a physician's recommendation. Travelers who visited the clinic more than 21 days before departure were more compliant than those who visited 14 days or fewer before departure (odds ratio [OR], 1.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23–2.93; P = 0.004). Travelers visiting Africa were more compliant than were those traveling to South and Central America (OR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.34–2.90; P = 0.001). Travelers in age groups of 40-49 years and over 70 years were less compliant than the 18–29 years old population (OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.28–0.93; P = 0.027 and OR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.04–0.84; P = 0.03, respectively). Also, those who traveled for tour or to visit friends or relatives were more compliant than those who departed for business (OR, 0.77; 95% CI, 1.03–3.56; P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: For appropriate vaccination, pre-travel consultation at least 3 weeks before departure is crucial. Travelers should be aware of required vaccination and malaria prophylaxis before visiting South and Central America and Asia. Plans to enhance compliance of the elderly and business travelers should be contrived.

Chikungunya, enfermedad emergente en América Latina. Descripción de los primeros casos en Chile / Chikungunya, emerging disease in Latin America. Description of the first cases in Chile

Resumen Introducción: Chikungunya (CHIK) se introduce en América el año 2013 diseminándose rápidamente. En 2014, se diagnosticó el primer caso importado en Chile. Objetivos: Identificar pacientes con sospecha clínica de CHIK. Describir sus características clínicas y laboratorio. Pacientes y Métodos: Se enrolaron pacientes con sospecha de CHIK. Se confirmó mediante reacción de polimerasa en cadena (RPC), IgM o IgG CHIKV. Se aplicó encuesta con preguntas demográficas, características del viaje, manifestaciones clínicas y laboratorio a pacientes y médicos tratantes. Resultados: Se enrolaron 21 pacientes, confirmando CHIK en 16 que se analizaron; 12 mujeres (75%), promedio edad 39 años (27-52). Exposición más frecuente fue el Caribe y Sudamérica. El síntoma inicial fue artralgia en 63%. Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron mialgias y malestar general (100%), fiebre y poliartralgia (94%). La mediana de duración de artralgias 90 días (3-262 días) y en 53% > 3 meses. Las articulaciones más comprometidas fueron tobillos, manos y muñecas, 87% con dolor invalidante. La artritis duró más en hombres que en mujeres (p < 0,001). El 38% de pacientes presentó linfopenia y un paciente trombocitopenia leve. Hubo dos hospitalizaciones por cefalea y pielonefritis aguda. Conclusiones: Chikungunya debe sospecharse en viajeros que regresan febriles y con poliartralgias intensas. Medidas de prevención deben ser indicadas a viajeros a zonas de riesgo.

Background: Chikungunya (CHIK) was introduced in The Americas in 2013, spreading rapidly. In 2014, the first imported case was diagnosed in Chile. Aim: To identify patients with clinical suspicion of CHIK and describe their clinical and laboratory characteristics. Patients and Methods: Patients with suspected CHIK were enrolled. All were confirmed by PCR, IgM or IgG CHIK. A structured survey was applied, which included demographic questions, travel characteristics, clinical manifestations, and laboratory results. Results: 21 patients were enrolled and CHIK was confirmed in 16, who were further analyzed; 12 were female (75%), average age 39 years (27-52). The Caribbean and South Americawere the most frequent sites of exposure. In 63%, the initial symptom was arthralgia. Most frequent symptoms were myalgias, malaise (both 100%), fever, and polyarthralgia (both 94%). The median duration of arthralgias was 90 days (3-262); in 53% arthralgias lasted ≥ 3 months. Main joints involved were ankles, hands, and wrists; 87% reported invalidating pain. Arthritis lasted longer in men than in women (p < 0.001). 38% of patients presented lymphopenia and one patient mild thrombocytopenia. Two patients required hospitalization, one with severe headaches, the other with acute pyelonephritis. Conclusions: Chikungunya should be suspected in returning travelers presenting with fever and severe polyarthralgia. Travelers to endemic areas should apply prevention measures to avoid mosquito bites.

Vacuna contra fiebre amarilla para viajeros chilenos a Brasil. Consideraciones prácticas / Yellow fever vaccination for Chilean tourists visiting Brazil. Practical considerations

Resumen La aparición de fiebre amarilla en las costas brasileñas, lugares de alto interés turístico, ha provocado una alta demanda de vacunación. Este articulo entrega respuestas a las principales consultas sobre la vacuna de fiebre amarilla y puede servir como guía para médicos no expertos en Medicina del Viajero.

Due to the recent yellow fever outbreak affecting the costal region of Brazil, including main touristic destinations, there is a high demand of yellow fever vaccination. This publication addresses the most relevant practical issues regarding this vaccine for tourists visiting Brazil and aims to serve as a guideline for non-expert physicians in Chile and elsewhere.

The use of circulating cathodic antigen rapid test and serology for diagnosis of active Schistosoma mansoni infection in migrants in Italy, a non-endemic country: a cross sectional study

ABSTRACT Diagnosis of schistosomiasis in migrants coming from endemic areas can be difficult, especially in asymptomatic subjects. Light-intensity disease, in fact, may be missed due to the low sensitivity of the stool microscopy and serologic testing cannot distinguish between a resolved infection and an active infection in patients who have been infected and treated in the past, because specific antibodies can persist despite cure. We describe a cross-sectional study conducted on 82 migrants tested for Schistosoma mansoni on single blood (anti-schistosome antibodies, total IgE) and urine [point-of-care (POC) circulating-cathodic-antigen (CCA) test] samples. A positive POC-CCA test (active infection) resulted in two untreated patients with a positive serology while all patients (n = 66) with a past infection showed a negative POC-CCA test. POC-CCA urine test in combination with serology may be helpful in rapidly differentiate active from past S. mansoni infection in migrants coming from endemic areas.

The changes of venous blood before and after travel by high speed train / 中华普通外科杂志

Objective To prospectively study the changes of venous blood before and after travel by high speed train.Method From December 2013 to August 2015,following the appropriate inclusion and exclusion criteria,50 volunteers and 20 high speed rail crew member were recruited.Blood samples were collected,and lower extremity venous ultrasound was performed in general information,and recorded activities (including walking distance,number of steps,etc.) and drinking water volume,before and after travel.Results After 5 hours in the train,in all the participants venous blood coagulation indicators were on the rise.Doppler ultrasound examination showed:the lower extremity venous diameter increased,the venous return slowed down,the leg circumference diameter increased (all P ＜ 0.05).High speed rail crew had increased leg circumference (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion 5 hours high-speed train travelling increases the likelihood of economy class syndrome.High speed rail crew working 10 hrs are with increased circumference of the lower extremity veins.

What It Takes To Set Up Travel Health Services: A Review From Countries With Established Service

@#As air travelling now becomes cheaper and available to almost all people of any walk of life, travelling across international borders is fast becoming a lifestyle of many. Having travel health service as part of health care services is important to address the issues of travel related illnesses among travellers. However, lacks of published guidelines pertaining to travel health service rendering many countries to overlook its importance. The aim of this paper is to review published literatures and authoritative websites on the components needed to develop guideline to establish travel health services. A systematic literature search was done using pre-specified keywords for literatures published between years 2000 – 2016. Literatures written in English and fully accessible were all included. No exclusion criteria was set before the search. Online authoritative websites pertaining to travel health were also referred. A total of six literatures ranging from expert opinion, review paper and original study, together with three authoritative websites related to travel health were reviewed. Among the important components needed to be considered for developing the guideline for establishing travel health services are to prioritise pre-travel health service, to set up specialised travel health clinic, to produce travel health/medicine specialist, to emphasize on continuous education and training of the practitioners and to apply multiagency and multidisciplinary approach with adequate fund for research in travel health. As a conclusion, policy makers should prioritise and select the most important components in developing guideline for travel health service.

The changes of venous blood before and after travel by high speed train / 中华普通外科杂志

Objective To prospectively study the changes of venous blood before and after travel by high speed train.Method From December 2013 to August 2015,following the appropriate inclusion and exclusion criteria,50 volunteers and 20 high speed rail crew member were recruited.Blood samples were collected,and lower extremity venous ultrasound was performed in general information,and recorded activities (including walking distance,number of steps,etc.) and drinking water volume,before and after travel.Results After 5 hours in the train,in all the participants venous blood coagulation indicators were on the rise.Doppler ultrasound examination showed:the lower extremity venous diameter increased,the venous return slowed down,the leg circumference diameter increased (all P ＜ 0.05).High speed rail crew had increased leg circumference (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion 5 hours high-speed train travelling increases the likelihood of economy class syndrome.High speed rail crew working 10 hrs are with increased circumference of the lower extremity veins.

Fiebre manchada grave por Rickettsia rickettsii en turista en el Noroeste Argentino / Severe spotted fever by Rickettsia rickettsii, in tourist in the Argentine Northwest

Al quinto día de retirarse del Parque Nacional El Rey, provincia de Salta, Argentina, donde realizó turismo rural, una mujer italiana de 47 años desarrolló un cuadro febril agudo seguido de un exantema petequial y purpúrico que progresó rápidamente a falla multiorgánica y falleció al sexto día de internación. Existieron referencias a mordeduras por garrapatas y se constató una lesión cutánea similar a la denominada tache noire. La autopsia mostró una vasculitis generalizada, ascitis, edema de pulmón, necrosis tubular aguda y necrosis portal centrolobulillar. Se procesó tejido esplénico y hepático con técnica de PCR para Rickettsia spp, basada en la detección del gen gltA. El resultado fue positivo. Los amplicones obtenidos fueron secuenciados y los resultados se compararon con las secuencias preestablecidas en el programa BLAST, coincidiendo en un 99% con R. rickettsii. La baja sensibilidad del sistema de salud en reconocer la enfermedad y la insuficiente información producida desde los medios relacionados con el turismo, son factores que inciden en el retardo de implementar un tratamiento eficaz y las normas de prevención adecuadas.

On the fifth day after leaving the Parque Nacional El Rey, province of Salta, Argentina, where she made rural tourism, a woman of Italian origin, aged 47, developed an acute fever followed by a petechial and purpuric rash that progressed rapidly to multiorgan failure. She died on the sixth day after hospitalization. There were references to tick bites and a skin lesion similar to tache noire was found. The autopsy showed generalized vasculitis, ascites, pulmonary edema, acute tubular necrosis and portal centrilobular necrosis. Spleen and liver tissue were processed for PCR Rickettsia spp, based on the detection of the gltA gene. The result was positive. The amplicons obtained were sequenced and the results were compared with the preset sequences on the BLAST program, 99% coinciding with R. rickettsii. The low sensitivity of the health system to recognize this disease and the insufficient information generated from tourism-related media are factors that affect the delay to implement effective treatment and appropriate prevention standards.

Características asociadas a la consulta pre viaje en turistas que visitan Cusco, Perú / Characteristics associated with pre travel medical consultation in tourists visiting Cuzco, Peru

Background: International tourism is increasing. Preventive Medicine remains important, especially the Pre-Travel Consultation (PTC). Objective: To determinate, the characteristics of tourists associated with PTC in tourists at Cuzco, Peru. Methods: A cross-sectional, analytical study, a secondary analysis of data from a database generated by survey of foreign tourists who visited Cuzco, in the waiting room of the airport was performed. The main variable was to have had a PTC at the tourist's country of residence, the area of residence was categorized according to health/risk of acquiring infectious diseases as traveler's diarrhea during their stay. These and other variables were analyzed and statistical association with generalized linear models were done. Results: Of the 1827 tourists, 875 (48%) were men, with a median age of 33 years (range 18-88 years); 42% had a PTC. In the multivariate analysis, it was found that a PTC lower frequency was associated with male gender (aPR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.75-0.94), and a higher frequency was associated with have born (aPR: 1.77; 95% CI: 1.39-2.27) and reside in an area of low risk of acquiring infectious diseases (aPR: 1.95; 95% CI: 1.26-3.00), adjusted for the history of a disease. Conclusions: Sex, region of birth and residence of tourists (as risk of acquiring infectious diseases) are associated with having a PTC. These findings may serve the health and government attending tourists who come to our country.

Introducción: El turismo internacional continúa aumentando, siendo la medicina preventiva un pilar importante, como las consultas pre viaje (CPV). Objetivo: Determinar las características del turista asociadas a CPV en turistas que visitan Cusco. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio analítico transversal, de análisis de datos secundarios, a partir de una base de datos generada por encuesta aplicada a turistas extranjeros que visitaron el Cusco, en la sala de espera del aeropuerto. La variable principal fue haber tenido CPV en el país de residencia del turista. La zona de residencia se categorizó según la salubridad/riesgo de los turistas para adquirir enfermedades-infectocontagiosas como la diarrea del viajero durante su estadía. Estas y otras variables fueron analizadas y se obtuvieron estadísticos de asociación con los modelos lineales generalizados. Resultados: De los 1.827 turistas, 875 (48%) fueron hombres, con mediana de edad de 33 años (rango 18-88 años). El 42% tuvo una CPV. En el análisis multivariado, se encontró que estuvo asociado a una menor frecuencia de CPV el sexo masculino (RPa: 0,84; IC 95%: 0,750,94%), y a una mayor frecuencia de CPV el haber nacido (RPa: 1,77; IC 95%: 1,39-2,27) y residir en una zona de bajo riesgo para adquirir enfermedades infecciosas (RPa: 1,95; IC 95%: 1,26-3,00), ajustado por el antecedente de una enfermedad. Discusión: El sexo, la zona de nacimiento y residencia del turista (según riesgo de adquirir enfermedades infecciosas) son factores asociados a tener una CPV. Estos hallazgos pueden servir a las instituciones de salud y gubernamentales que atienden a turistas que vienen a nuestro país.

Medical Problems during Participation of Medical Congress - A Long Trip to Val D'Isere from Korea / 신경중재치료의학

Since the 3rd WIN meeting in 1982 more than 500 participants join the meeting in Val D'Isere every year [1]. One of our authors has attended the meeting more than 10 times. He experienced many physical illnesses while travelling from South Korea to Val D'Isere in France, which is located in the Alps mountain near the border between France and Italy. In order to get there, it is necessary to take airplane, train, and/or bus with a heavy suitcase. During the trip which usually takes more than 15 hours, he experienced headache, gastrointestinal trouble, sleep disturbance and other additional physical illnesses. Therefore, we reviewed the itinerary to Val D'Isere and presented physical illnesses which occurred during a long trip for an academic activity by specialized professionals such as university hospital professors. In addition, we discussed the mechanism of such illnesses and offered possible solutions including medical treatment.

Differential diagnosis of tropical diseases in travelers

Travel-related health problems such as febrile illness have been reported in many travelers going to developing countries. With the emergence of new infectious diseases occurring in many parts of the world and their spread worldwide, early diagnosis of emerging infectious diseases or tropical diseases has become a very important part of controlling these diseases. In doing so, the itinerary of the ill returning traveler is crucial to formulating a differential diagnosis because exposure to pathogens differs depending on the area of travel. With up-to-date information on infectious diseases occurring worldwide, a differential diagnosis can be made by adding information on duration of travel, incubation period, underlying medical illness, history of prophylactic vaccines received, and knowledge of the patient's exposures during travel including insect bites, contaminated food or water, or freshwater swimming. Some travelers may have specific symptoms and signs such as fever, rash, or hemorrhagic manifestations. For example, eosinophilia suggests a possible helminth infection. In this article, the general approach to returnning travelers with suspected tropical disease will be described.

Travel Pattern and Prescription Analysis at a Single Travel Clinic Specialized for Yellow Fever Vaccination in South Korea

BACKGROUND: Travel-related risks for infectious diseases vary depending on travel patterns such as purpose, destination, and duration. In this study, we describe the patterns of travel and prescription of vaccines as well as malaria prophylaxis medication (MPM) at a travel clinic in South Korea to identify the gaps to fill for the optimization of pre-travel consultation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cohort of travel clinic visitors in 2011 was constructed and early one-third of the visitors of each month were reviewed. During the study period, 10,009 visited the travel clinic and a retrospective chart review was performed for 3,332 cases for analysis of travel patterns and prescriptions. RESULTS: People receiving yellow fever vaccine (YFV) (n = 2,933) were traveling more frequently for business and tourism and less frequently for providing non-medical service or research/education compared to the 399 people who did not receive the YFV. Overall, most people were traveling to Eastern Africa, South America, and Western Africa, while South-Eastern Asia was the most common destination for the non-YFV group. Besides YFV, the typhoid vaccine was the most commonly prescribed (54.2%), while hepatitis A presented the highest coverage (74.7%) considering the natural immunity, prior and current vaccination history. Additionally, 402 (82.5%) individuals received a prescription for MPM among the 487 individuals travelling to areas with high-risk of malaria infection. Age over 55 was independently associated with receiving MPM prescription, while purpose of providing service and travel duration over 10 days were associated with no MPM prescription, despite travelling to high-risk areas. CONCLUSION: Eastern Africa and South America were common travel destinations among the visitors to a travel clinic for YFV, and most of them were travelling for tourism and business. For the individuals who are traveling to areas with high-risk for malaria, more proactive approach might be required in case of younger age travelers, longer duration, and travel purpose of providing service to minimize the risk of malaria infection.