Characteristics of acute chikungunya virus infection in children: an epidemiological study in the Department of Caaguazú, Paraguay

Introduction: The rapid transmission and severe symptoms associated with acute chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection in children make it a highly concerning health issue. Objective: This study aimed to describe the characteristics of acute chikungunya virus infection in children from the Department of Caaguazú, Paraguay. Material and Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Caaguazú, Paraguay, in 2023, with all patients who came to the Regional Hospital within 5 days of developing characteristic symptoms of acute CHIKV infection and tested positive for the virus by RT-PCR. Patients with Dengue or Zika infections were excluded. We collected data on clinical characteristics using a standardized case record form and created an electronic dataset for analysis. Results: A total of 461 children were included in the study. 51.6% were women. Cases were divided into groups based on pediatric age: infants (0-23 months, n=88, 19.1%), preschoolers (2-5 years, n=115, 24.9%), schoolchildren (6-11 years, n=163, 35.4%), and adolescents (12-17 years and 11 months, n=95, 20.6%). Schoolchildren and adolescents experienced a higher prevalence of myalgia (64.6%) and arthralgia (63.7%). Vomiting (89%), headache (89.4%), and retro-orbital pain (95%) were more common in preschoolers, schoolchildren, and adolescents, while rash (39.5%) and petechiae (18.5%) were more prevalent in infants. Four children died during the study period. Conclusion: The 2023 CHIKV virus epidemic in Paraguay had different clinical presentations depending on the age of the affected children, with fatal outcomes occurring in a small percentage of cases.

Introducción: La rápida transmisión y los síntomas graves asociados con la infección aguda por el virus de la chikungunya (CHIKV) en niños lo convierten en un problema de salud altamente preocupante. Objetivo: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo describir las características de la infección aguda por el virus de la chikungunya en niños del Departamento de Caaguazú, Paraguay. Materiales y métodos: Un estudio retrospectivo fue realizado en el Departamento de Caaguazú, Paraguay, en 2023, con todos los pacientes que acudieron al Hospital Regional dentro de los 5 días posteriores al desarrollo de síntomas característicos de la infección aguda por CHIKV y que dieron positivo para el virus mediante RT-PCR. Pacientes con infecciones por Dengue o Zika fueron excluidos. Se recogieron datos sobre las características clínicas mediante un formulario normalizado de registro de casos y se creó un conjunto de datos electrónicos para su análisis. Resultados: Se incluyeron en el estudio un total de 461 niños. 51,6% eran mujeres. Los casos se dividieron en grupos según la edad pediátrica: lactantes (0-23 meses, n=88, 19,1 %), preescolares (2-5 años, n=115, 24,9%), escolares (6-11 años, n=163, 35.4%), and adolescentes (12-17 años and 11 meses, n=95, 20.6 %). La mialgia (64,6%) y la artralgia (63.7%) fueron más prevalentes en escolares y adolescentes. El vómito (89%), la cefalea (89,4%) y el dolor retroorbitario (95%) fueron más comunes en preescolares, escolares y adolescentes, mientras que la erupción cutánea (39,5%) y las petequias (18,5%) fueron más prevalentes en lactantes. Cuatro niños fallecieron durante el período de estudio. Conclusión: La epidemia de virus de la CHIKV de 2023 en Paraguay tuvo diferentes presentaciones clínicas dependiendo de la edad de los niños afectados, con resultados fatales ocurriendo en un pequeño porcentaje de casos.

Viruela símica: características en población femenina, Buenos Aires, Argentina / Monkeypox: characteristics in female population, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Resumen La viruela símica es una enfermedad viral zoonótica debida a un virus del género Orthopoxvirus. Desde el 1 de enero de 2022, se ha notificado en 110 Estados Miembros de la OMS. Se presenta con fiebre, astenia, linfoadenopatías dolorosas y exantema. Dura entre 2 y 4 semanas. Suele ser autolimitada y se han descrito casos graves en personas inmunocomprometidas. El presente trabajo describe casos de viruela símica en mujeres, diagnosticados entre junio del 2022 y febrero del 2023 Se realizó un estudio observacional retrospectivo en la Uni dad Febril de Urgencias (UFU), revisando casos positivos (RT-PCR) para viruela símica y se seleccionó la población con sexo biológico femenino. Se consultó sobre compli caciones ginecológicas, patrón menstrual, dispareunia y dolor pélvico. Se realizaron 340 consultas por viruela símica, 214 (63%) fueron positivos, 211 casos (99%) de sexo masculino y 3 casos (1%) femeninos. Dentro de estos casos se encuentra una mujer trans, la cual no se incluyó. La edad promedio es de 31 años, inmunocom petentes, con reporte de serologías negativas para HIV, sífilis, hepatitis B y C. Ambos casos mantuvieron relacio nes sexuales sin método de barrera. Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron astenia y lesiones en piel, sobre todo en miembros superiores e inferiores, región perianal y genital. Como factor de riesgo presentaron contacto sexual sin protección. Dentro de los diagnósticos diferenciales, debe tenerse en cuenta otras infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS). En seguimiento epidemiológico no refirieron complicaciones ginecológicas.

Abstract Monkeypox is a zoonotic viral disease caused by a virus of the genus Orthopoxvirus. As of January 1, 2022, it has been reported in 110 WHO Member States. It presents with fever, fatigue, painful lymphadenopathy, and rash. It lasts between 2 and 4 weeks. It is usually self-limited, but severe cases have been described in immunocompromised people. This study describes cases of monkeypox in women, diagnosed between June 2022 and February 2023, and it reports epidemiology, clinical aspects, and complications after infection. A retrospective observational study was carried out in the Febrile Emergency Unit (UFU), reviewing positive cases (RT-PCR) for monkeypox and the population with female biologi cal sex was selected. They were questioned about gyne cological complications, menstrual pattern, dyspareunia and pelvic pain. 340 consultations for monkeypox were made, 214 (63%) were positive, 211 cases (99%) male and 3 cases (1%) female. Among these cases is a trans woman, who was not included. The average age is 31 years, immunocompetent, with a negative serology report for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C. Both cases had sexual intercourse without a barrier method. The most frequent symptoms are asthenia and skin lesions, especially in the upper and lower limbs, perianal and genital region. As a risk factor they presented unpro tected sexual contact. Within the differential diagnoses, other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) should be considered. There were no gynecological complications reported during follow-up.

Manda pra um, joga pra outro: a emergência sanitária da zika nas margens do Estado / Send it to one, throw it to another: the Zika health emergency on the margins of the State

Resumo Distantes temporalmente da declaração da emergência em saúde pública de importância internacional (ESPII) e emergência em saúde pública de importância nacional (ESPIN) provocada pela epidemia de zika, no ano de 2015, enunciamos a herança da emergência humanitária. Com base em uma pesquisa qualitativa, por meio de grupos focais realizados com profissionais de saúde e familiares das crianças afetadas epidemia de zika em Natal e Feira de Santana, buscamos discutir esse fenômeno de saúde pública pelas lentes da Antropologia do Estado. Concluímos que o não reconhecimento do Estado como uma instância encarnada no cotidiano das práticas por parte dos seus agentes locais leva à reprodução de práticas discriminatórias esvaziadas de sentido político e do reconhecimento de moralidades que permeiam as ausências nas ações de promoção de saúde e estratégias de reconhecimento e busca por estratégias para a garantia do direito à saúde.

Abstract Temporarily distant from the declaration of the Public Health Emergency of International Importance (ESPII) and Public Health Emergency of National Importance (ESPIN) caused by the Zika epidemic, in 2015, we enunciate the legacy of the humanitarian emergency. Based on qualitative research, through focus groups with health professionals and families of children affected by the Zika epidemic in Natal and Feira de Santana, we seek to discuss this public health phenomenon through the lens of State Anthropology. We conclude that the non-recognition of the State as an instance embodied in the daily practices of its local agents leads to the reproduction of discriminatory practices emptied of political sense and the recognition of moralities that permeate the absences in health promotion actions and recognition strategies, and search for methods to guarantee the right to health.

Changes in the endemic-epidemic pattern of malaria in Colombia, 1978-2021

ABSTRACT Background: Malaria is a major global public health issue with varying epidemiologies across countries. In Colombia, it is a priority endemic-epidemic event included in the national public health policy. However, evidence demonstrating nationwide variations in the disease behavior is limited. This study aimed to analyze changes in the levels and distribution of endemic-epidemic malaria transmission in the eco-epidemiological regions of Colombia from 1978 to 1999 and 2000 to 2021. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive time-series study using official secondary data on malaria-associated morbidity and mortality in Colombia from 1978 to 2021. Temporal-spatial and population variables were analyzed, and the absolute and relative frequency measures of general and regional morbidity and mortality were estimated. Results: We observed an 18% reduction in malaria endemic cases between the two study periods. The frequency and severity of the epidemic transmission of malaria varied less and were comparable across both periods. A shift was observed in the frequency of parasitic infections, with a tendency to match and increase infections by Plasmodium falciparum. The risk of malaria transmission varied significantly among the eco-epidemiological regions during both study periods. This study demonstrated a sustained decrease of 78% in malarial mortality. Conclusions: Although the endemic components of malaria decreased slightly between the two study periods, the epidemic pattern persisted. There were significant variations in the risk of transmission across the different eco-epidemiological regions. These findings underscore the importance of targeted public health interventions in reducing malarial morbidity and mortality rates in Colombia.

Severity of COVID-19 reinfection among healthcare workers in a grade A tertiary hospital in Shanghai by the end of 2022 / 上海预防医学

ObjectiveTo describe the epidemic characteristics of COVID-19 after policy adjustment from “Category B notifiable disease with category A management” to “Category B notifiable disease with category B management”， and to explore the protective effect of previous infection with SARS-CoV-2 on common symptoms of reinfection. MethodsHealthcare workers infected with SARS-CoV-2 in a grade A tertiary hospital in Shanghai were included in the study from December 4， 2022 to January 11， 2023. Data on demographic characteristics， clinical symptoms， medical history， and COVID-19 vaccination history were collected. We determined the epidemiological curve and characteristics， and then compared the difference in the severity of clinical symptoms between primary and reinfection subjects. ResultsA total of 2 704 cases were included in the study， of which 45 had reinfection， 605 （22.4%）were males， 608 （22.5%）were doctors， 1 275 （47.2%） were nurses， and 2 351 （86.9%） received ≥3 doses of COVID-19 vaccination. The average age of these healthcare workers was （34.9±9.1） years old. The number of cases with mild/moderate illness， asymptomatic infection， fever， headache， dry cough， expectoration， and chest tightness were 2 704 （100.0%）， 92 （3.4%）， 2 385 （88.2%）， 2 066 （76.4%）， 1 642 （60.7%）， 1 807 （66.8%）， and 439 （16.2%）， respectively. Reinfection was a protective factor for fever （OR=0.161， P<0.001）， headache （OR=0.320， P<0.001）， and peak body temperature （β=-0.446， P<0.001）. ConclusionFollowing the COVID-19 policy adjustment as a category B notifiable disease， healthcare workers at a grade A tertiary hospital in Shanghai predominantly experiences mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms. Reinfection results in milder clinical manifestations， with a lower proportion of being asymptomatic.

Exploration on the Cultivation Path of Medical Students’ Professional Spirit in the Post-epidemic Era / 中国医学伦理学

In the fight against COVID-19, under the guidance of medical professionalism, the majority of medical workers adhered to the scientific spirit of rigorous truth-seeking and innovation, and the humanitarian feelings of boundless love and dedication, and made outstanding contributions to prevention and control. However, the epidemic situation fluctuates repeatedly, the virus mutates frequently, and the risk of major public health emergencies has caused deep thinking on the cultivation of medical students’ professionalism. Medical students are the reserve force for the sustainable development of China’s medical and health undertakings. The times and society endow medical students with a more lofty and arduous historical mission, and also call for strengthening the cultivation of medical students’ professional spirit. Under the background of normalization of epidemic prevention and control, responding to the demands of the times, providing high-quality medical talents for the society, promoting building the doctor-patient desting community, and promoting the reality of the healthy China strategy, efforts to explore the path of cultivating medical students’ professionalism with "three combinations, two considerations and one emphasis".

Challenges and Countermeasures of Mental Health Social Work in Shanghai in Post-Epidemic Era / 中国医学伦理学

This paper summarized three developing conditions and five service modes of mental health social work in Shanghai by reading literature and investigating and interviewing the social work service of mental health medical institutions in Shanghai. Three challenges to mental health social work after COVID -19 were identified: firstly, the reduction of direct services led to a decrease in the number of service beneficiaries, and the effectiveness of services could not be guaranteed; secondly, the application of social work methods was forced to adjust, which challenges the service ability of social workers; thirdly, the expansion or increase of the scope of service objects and the insufficient number of social workers led to difficulties in service response. In view of the above challenges and problems, countermeasures are proposed: ensure the continuity of professional relationship and service effectiveness through flexible and diversified service methods; knit for social work online working ability training, increasing network service experience; the scope of service objects expanding gradually and multi-sectoral cooperation to prevent psychological problems in key groups; set up a volunteer team to serve mental health.

Discussion on the Social Return after the Outbreak of COVID -19 / 中国医学伦理学

After COVID -19, patients, medical workers and the whole society in COVID -19 were faced with the challenge of how to quickly return to normal life. Patients cured in COVID -19 would face mental or psychological barriers, or be discriminated against, or face problems such as overweight of local epidemic prevention policies. The front-line medical personnel experienced job burnout and a variety of mental and psychological disorders, with some even developing physical symptoms. During the epidemic, ordinary people were in a state of psychological stress, education, production and economic activities were affected, and the incidence of mental or psychological disorders increases. It was necessary to provide COVID -19 patients with mental health monitoring and counseling. Give professional guidance to front-line medical staff, arrange rotation reasonably, and pay attention to their mental health status. Local governments should strictly implement the national epidemic prevention system, formulate epidemic prevention policies with humanistic care, actively publicize epidemic related knowledge and safeguard the rights and interests of the people.

Study on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Tumor Subjects in Clinical Trials in the Prevention and Control of the COVID -19 / 中国医学伦理学

The outbreak of the COVID -19 has had a big impact on the implementation of clinical trials of tumor drugs and the prevention and control measures such as traffic control and home isolation has caused clinical trials couldn’t proceed normally, so the protection of tumor subjects in clinical trials faces many new challenges. Based on Western and Chinese policies and guidelines on the management of clinical trials during the COVID -19, this paper expounded the impacts of the COVID -19 on tumor patients and tumor clinical trials, analyzed the challenges faced by the protection of tumor subjects in the prevention and control of the COVID -19, and then protected tumor subjects from aspects of optimizing the allocation of health resources, improving non-face-to-face informed consent procedures, strengthening subject visit management, and enhancing clinical trial safety evaluation. It is hoped that these optimization measures can face the future and continue to protect subjects after the end of the epidemic or in new public health emergencies.

Research on the Path of Optimizing the "Ideological and Creative Integration" in Traditional Chinese Medicine Universities under the Perspective of the Great Anti-epidemic Spirit / 中国医学伦理学

The great anti-epidemic spirit is the brightest spiritual symbol of the anti-epidemic struggle and the inheritance and development of the spirit of patriotism, collectivism and socialism. Under the context of normalized epidemic prevention and control, it is necessary to give full play to the leading role of the great anti-epidemic spirit and explore the new mode of innovation and entrepreneurship education of "ideological and creative integration" in Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) universities. Summarized the educational value of anti-epidemic spirit, boost TCM universities to realize cultural education and promote TCM cultural inheritance and innovation; analyzed the difficulties existing in the process of "ideological and creative integration" in TCM universities, and provide accurate direction for optimizing the path of "ideological and creative integration" in TCM universities. To explore the multiple paths of "ideological and creative integration" in TCM universities requires multi-party cooperation, joint management, accelerating the optimization of "ideological and creative integration", and establishing a hierarchical "ideological and creative integration" system, so as to provide new ideas for us to implement the educational goal of "establishing moral integrity in cultivation" under the background of normalized epidemic prevention and control.

Ethical Consideration of Chinese Ancient Disasters and Diseases: Centered on the Basic Principles of Public Health Ethics / 中国医学伦理学

The ethical problems in the prevention and control of public disasters and epidemics have attracted more and more attention. Briefly combed the disaster and epidemic events in ancient China. From the view of the several basic principles of public health ethics, this paper took four aspects of the distribution of medical and health resources for epidemic diseases, the isolation prevention and control, the skeleton convergence and the protection of public health conditions as examples, to dialectically treat the measures taken by ancient people to deal with disasters and epidemics and explore some enlightenment of public health ethics in ancient Chinese disasters and epidemics. The measures of epidemic prevention and disaster resistance in ancient China have their own formation and development process. Although the historical limitations are insurmountable, interpreting it by using the basic principles of public health ethics will help us understand the development process of epidemic prevention and control, promote the development of medical archaeology, and provide some reference for the construction of public health undertakings today.

Realistic Consideration and Path Choice: Research on the Integration of Epidemic Narrative into College Students’ Ideological and Political Education / 中国医学伦理学

It takes a long time to repair the social damage caused by a major epidemic, which is both a rebuilding of social order and a long process of social psychology. How to reproduce the collective memory of major epidemic events through narration, start from the reality of the epidemic narrative to the should and finally back to practice, and use epidemic narrative as an educational means and carrier in ideological and political education, it will be a beneficial attempt to realize the unification of knowledge and practice in college students’ ideological and political education in the post-epidemic period. To integrate the epidemic narrative into the ideological and political education of college students, it is necessary to adhere to the mainstream ideological direction of the narrative, unblock the narrative channel, reasonably choose the narrative method and optimize the narrative content, adhere to student-oriented, and give full play to the educational function of students’ individual narration.

The Significance and Function of Marx’s View of Life on COVID-19 Epidemic Prevention and Control / 中国医学伦理学

Finding a way of life education with Chinese characteristics and making up for the shortcomings of life education, which should become a major issue for the in-depth study of COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control in China. Marx’s view of life is a correct and scientific view of life, which is not only the guiding ideology of life education, but also the important resources for life education. While criticizing the views of life and death based on the western philosophy of life, it can also overcomes the limitations of Chinese traditional view of life. In the epidemic prevention and control, the in-depth study of Marx’s view of life will help to promote the practice of life education, enable people to establish a correct and scientific view of life and obtain the life sublimation in life practice.

Factores de riesgo relacionados con el síndrome poscovid-19 en pobladores pinareños / Risk factors related to postcovid­19 syndrome in residents from Pinar del Río i: en

Introducción: Las posibilidades de padecer el síndrome poscovid-19 crecen en la medida en que se expande la pandemia. Objetivo: Identificar los factores de riesgo relacionados con el síndrome poscovid-19 en pobladores pinareños. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio de casos y controles, que incluyó a convalecientes de covid-19, atendidos en la consulta multidisciplinaria del Policlínico Luis Augusto Turcios Lima de la provincia de Pinar del Río durante el 2022, quienes fueron incluidos de forma aleatoria en 2 grupos, a razón de 1:2 (100 casos y 200 controles). El análisis estadístico se basó en una estrategia univariada, que consistió en la determinación del odds ratio para cada factor de riesgo, así como en la estimación de los intervalos de confianza al 95 % y la prueba de la Χ2, con un nivel de significación de p<0,05. Resultados: En el estudio predominaron el sexo femenino, la diabetes mellitus, el tratamiento farmacológico, el soporte ventilatorio, la presencia de secuelas establecidas y las complicaciones. Conclusiones: A pesar de identificar los factores de riesgo más frecuentes relacionados con el síndrome poscovid-19, este continúa siendo un desafío para los profesionales de la salud.

Introduction: The possibilities to suffer from the postcovid-19 syndrome grow as the pandemic expands. Objective: To identify the risk factors related to the postcovid-19 syndrome in residents from Pinar del Río. Methods: A cases and controls study that included covid-19 convalescents was carried out. They were assisted in the multidisciplinary service of Luis Augusto Turcios Lima Polyclinic of Pinar del Rio province during 2022 that were included in 2 groups at random, at a ratio of 1:2 (100 cases and 200 controls). The statistical analysis was based on an univaried strategy, for which the odds ratio was determined for each risk factor and the confidence intervals were considered at 95 %, as well as the chi-square test, with a significance level of p<0,05. Results: In the study there was a prevalence of the female sex, diabetes mellitus, pharmacological treatment, ventilation support, the presence of established sequels and complications. Conclusions: In spite of identifying the most frequent risk factors related to the postcovid-19 syndrome, it is still a challenge for health professionals.

Manifestaciones mucocutáneas de la fiebre de chikungunya / Mucocutaneous manifestations of chikungunya fever

Las manifestaciones típicas de la Chikungunya son la fiebre y las artralgias en la mayoría de los casos, pero debemos recordar que presentan manifestaciones mucocutáneas, donde la más frecuente es el exantema, además pueden presentar manifestaciones mucocutáneas atípicas con un gran polimorfismo simulando varias dermatosis como los casos expuestos anteriormente. Este reporte cuenta con 5 casos clínicos del mes de enero y febrero del año 2023 en el departamento Central de Paraguay, durante la mayor epidemia de Chikungunya registrada en el país hasta el momento. Es importante conocerlas y correlacionar con los demás signos y síntomas de la enfermedad para un diagnóstico y tratamiento adecuados.

The typical manifestations of Chikungunya are fever and arthralgia in most cases, but we must remember that they present mucocutaneous manifestations, where the most frequent is rash, they can also present atypical mucocutaneous manifestations with great polymorphism simulating various dermatoses such as cases outlined above. This report has 5 clinical cases from the month of January and February 2023 in the Central area of Paraguay, during the largest recorded Chikungunya epidemic in the country so far. It is important to know them and correlate them with the other signs and symptoms of the disease for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Learning from history in the midst of the COVID-19: epidemics/pandemics of antiquity up to the fall of the Western Roman Empire / Aprendiendo de la historia en medio del COVID-19: epidemias/pandemias de la antigüedad hasta la caída del Imperio Romano de Occidente

Abstract When humans discovered agriculture and livestock, they ceased to be nomads and began to settle in towns until they created large cities. From the first human settlements in Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Anatolian Peninsula, populations were exposed and susceptible to new infectious agents, leading to epidemics and pandemics. Great civilizations emerged, such as Egypt, the land of Hatti, Israel, Greece, Carthage, and Rome, among others. Contact between different populations through wars or maritime trade is well documented and has been described as a source of epidemics throughout history. Epidemics described as plagues or pestilences, such as those of Egypt, the Hebrews, or the Hittites, are based on biblical texts or evidence such as tablets or hieroglyphic writings. We also reviewed classical books by authors such as Homer, Aeschylus, Herodotus of Halicarnassus, Thucydides, Diodorus Siculus, Dionysius of Halicarnassus, Titus Livius, Suetonius, and others; and described all epidemics/pandemics chronologically. This article describes the epidemics/pandemics for which there is written evidence from ancient Egypt to the fall of the Roman Empire. We should not be surprised when new epidemics/pandemics appear as causes of political and economic collapse, as this has been common throughout history, decimating, blocking, or even destroying cultures and civilizations repeatedly.

Resumen Cuando el hombre descubrió la agricultura y la ganadería, dejó de ser nómada y empezó a asentarse en pueblos hasta crear grandes ciudades. Desde los primeros asentamientos humanos en Egipto, Mesopotamia y la península de Anatolia, las poblaciones estuvieron expuestas y susceptibles a nuevos agentes infecciosos, dando lugar a epidemias y pandemias. Aparecieron grandes civilizaciones como Egipto, la Tierra de Hatti, Israel, Grecia, Cartago y Roma, entre otras. El contacto entre las distintas poblaciones a través de las guerras o el comercio marítimo está muy bien establecido y descrito como focos de epidemias a lo largo de la historia. Las epidemias descritas como plagas o pestilencias, como las que ocurrieron a los egipcios, los judíos, o los hititas, se describen con base en textos bíblicos o mediante evidencias como tablillas o escritos jeroglíficos. También revisamos libros clásicos de autores como Homero, Esquilo, Herodoto de Halicarnaso, Tucídides, Diodoro Sículo, Dionisio de Halicarnaso, Tito Livio, Suetonio, entre otros. Este artículo describe cronológicamente todas las epidemias/pandemias de las que existe evidencia a través de la escritura desde el antiguo Egipto hasta la caída del Imperio Romano. No debemos sorprendernos cuando aparecen nuevas epidemias/pandemias como causantes del colapso político y económico, ya que ha sido algo común a lo largo de la historia, diezmando, bloqueando o incluso destruyendo culturas y civilizaciones reiteradamente.

Impacto da pandemia de Covid-19 no consumo alimentare treinamento de praticantes de musculação / Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on food consumptionand training of bodybuilders

A pandemia de Covid-19 impactou a vida de milhares de pessoas no mundo, e mesmo com a vacinação o número de infectados foi elevado. Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo verificar o impacto da pandemia de Covid-19 no consumo alimentar e no treinamento de praticantes de musculação. Foi realizada uma pesquisa transversal, com 134 praticantes de musculação, de ambos os sexos, do Sudoeste do Paraná, Brasil, com idade entre 18 e 50 anos, em setembro de 2021. A pesquisa foi realizada através do siteGoogle Forms®, enviada aos voluntários através de mensagens diretas e mídias sociais. Os dados foram tabulados e analisados no software PSPP. A maioria dos pesquisados relatou percepção de aumento no apetite (50%) e de aumento da quantidade de alimentos ingeridos durante o dia (47%) e do peso corporal (41,8%), sendo que a maioria acreditava que o ganho de peso foi de gordura corporal. Ainda, 40,3% dos pesquisados referiram que a frequência de prática de musculação diminuiu durante a pandemia. Apesar disso, observou-se que os indivíduos relataram consumir mais frutas (50,7%), verduras (49,3%) e legumes (45,5%), e menos açúcar ou adoçantes (34,3%), bebidas açucaradas (31,3%) e lanches tipo fast food (29,9%). Foi possível concluir que apesar do impacto da pandemia na prática de musculação, percepção de aumento de apetite, peso e ingestão alimentar, notou-se melhora da qualidade do consumo alimentar dessa população.

The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the lives of thousands of people around the world and even with vaccination, the number of infected was high. This research aimed to verify the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on food consumption and training of bodybuilders. A cross-sectional survey was carried out with 134 bodybuilders, of both sexes, from the Southwest of Paraná, Brazil, aged between 18 and 50 years, in September 2021. The survey was carried out through the Google Forms® website, sent to volunteers through direct messages and social media. Data were tabulated and analyzed using the GNU PSPP 1.4.1-g79ad47 software. Most respondents reported an increase in appetite (50%), the amount of food eaten during the day (47%) and body weight (41.8%), with the majority believing that the weight gain was due to fat body. Also, 40.3% of respondents reported that the frequency of bodybuilding practice decreased during the pandemic. Despite this, it was observed that individuals reported consuming more fruits (50.7%), green (49.3%), vegetables (45.5%) and less sugar or sweeteners (34.3%), sugary drinks (31.3%) and fast food snacks (29.9%). It was possible to conclude that despite the impact of the pandemic on bodybuilding practice, perception of increased appetite, weight and food intake, there was an improvement in the quality of food consumption in this population.

Epidemic retinitis during pregnancy

Purpose: To study the clinical presentation and treatment outcome of epidemic retinitis (ER) during pregnancy. Methods: This is a retrospective, observational chart review of pregnant patients diagnosed with ER from January 2014 to February 2023. Demographic details, month of pregnancy at the onset of ocular symptoms, history of present illness, clinical manifestations, and treatment outcomes were studied. Results: In 9 years, ER was seen in 86 females, of whom 12 (13.9%) were pregnant. Twenty?one eyes of those 12 patients were studied. Most of the patients presented in the sixth month of pregnancy (range: 5–9 months, mean: 6.3 months). Physicians diagnosed viral exanthematous fever in six, typhoid in three, and suspected rickettsia in one patient. Medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) was performed in two patients before presentation. Weil–Felix test was positive in five, Brucella in one, WIDAL in three, and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID?19) IgG and dengue IgG in one patient each. Oral antibiotics were given in five patients (two post?medical termination of pregnancy [MTP]) for the retinitis. All except four received oral steroids. Mean presenting corrected distant visual acuity (n = 21) was 20/125 (range: 20/20–20/20,000), which improved to (n = 18) 20/30 (range: 20/20–20/240). Macular edema (n = 11) resolved in 33.18 days (range: 20–50 days), and retinitis (n = 13) resolved in 58 days (range: 30–110 days). Ocular and systemic examination of newborn was possible in two and the babies were normal. Conclusion: ER is seen commonly at the beginning of the third trimester. Lack of antibiotics may delay the resolution of retinitis. Ocular health needs to be assessed in larger series to conclude absence of retinal involvement in newborns.

Epidemic retinitis during the COVID-19 pandemic

Purpose: To study the impact of the novel coronavirus disease?2019 (COVID?19) pandemic on incidence, seasonal variation, clinical presentation, and disease outcome of epidemic retinitis (ER) and to compare clinical outcomes with positive and negative COVID?19 serology. Methods: This is a retrospective, observational study conducted at a tertiary eye care hospital from August 2020 to June 2022. A graph of ER cases against the month of presentation was compared with the graph of the COVID?19 pandemic in the same region. Cases presented before COVID?19 vaccination, with positive COVID?19 serology (Group 1) were compared with cases with negative serology (Group 2). Results: One hundred and thirty?two cases of ER were seen. The least number of cases were seen during and immediately after the peak of the pandemic (May 2021–August 2021). COVID?19 serology was positive in 13 (22 eyes)/60 (21.6%) unvaccinated cases. Along with COVID?19, positive serology for other ER etiologies was seen in 5/13 cases (38.4%). All patients received oral doxycycline with/without steroids. Groups 1 and 2 included 22 and 21 eyes of 13 cases each. Macular edema resolved in 43.6 and 32 days in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Retinitis resolved at 1 month in both groups. Corrected distant visual acuity was 20/50 and 20/70 at the presentation, which improved to 20/20 and 20/25 in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Mean and median follow?up was 6 months and 4.5 months, respectively, in both groups. No complications or recurrences were seen. Conclusion: No significant impact of the COVID?19 pandemic on ER was observed

Viruela símica grave en un paciente con infección por VIH, Ecuador / Severe mpox in a HIV patient, Ecuador. A case report

En mayo de 2022 se reportó un aumento de casos de viruela símica (mpox en inglés) en el mundo, cuyo comportamiento epidemiológico y clínico, particularmente en pacientes con infección por VIH, condujo a la declaración del brote de mpox 2022 como emergencia de salud pública internacional. Se presenta el caso de un paciente con infección por VIH que cursó con mpox grave y fulminante, con placas necróticas en párpado y membrana inflamatoria sobre la superficie ocular; mucosa oral con lesiones blanquecinas y úlceras en lengua; induración de tejidos blandos y lesiones necróticas en los pies. Tras múltiples complicaciones, se convirtió en la primera víctima fatal reportada en Ecuador en 2022. En pacientes con infección por VIH, mpox puede presentarse como un agente oportunista, causando lesiones cutáneas graves, con o sin manifestaciones sistémicas.

In May 2022 several cases of mpox were reported worldwide, whose epidemiological and clinical outcome, particularly in patients seropositive for HIV, led to declaring the 2022 mpox outbreak as a public health emergency. We describe a case of a patient with HIV infection and severe and fulminant mpox, with necrotic plaques on the eyelid and an inflammatory membrane on the ocular surface; oral mucosa with whitish lesions and ulcers on the tongue; soft tissues induration, and necrotic lesions on the feet. After multiple complications, he became the first fatality reported in Ecuador in 2022. In HIV-infected patients mpox can be considered an opportunistic agent, with severe skin lesions with or without systemic manifestations.