Current status of research regarding Blastocystis sp, an enigmatic protist, in Brazil

The present study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of Blastocystis sp. in Brazilian studies over a period of years (2000-2020), as well as point out relevant aspects of this enigmatic organism. We performed a literature search using six sources of international databases. The data were divided into diagnostic by parasitological and molecular techniques, and relevant aspects. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 52 studies were included in the final analysis. The occurrence of Blastocystis sp. in Brazil ranged from 0.5% to 86.6%, as determined using parasitological techniques. The highest occurrence was in the North (27.3%) and the lowest, in the Midwest region (13.4%). In Brazil, most studies have employed molecular techniques and are concentrated in the Southeast region. The Blastocystis sp. subtype ST3 had the highest average positivity, followed by ST1 and ST2. These findings represent a panorama that reflects the reality of Brazil; thus, we believe that the effectiveness of parasitological diagnosis should be considered with regard to making an appropriate choice of technique for detecting Blastocystis sp. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of further studies in the context of molecular epidemiology with regard to this genus. Blastocystis sp. is not well understood yet, and very little information regarding this genus is available; hence, further research regarding this genus is urgently needed.

Perfil clínico de pacientes com diagnóstico de tuberculose atendidos no Hospital Universitário de Londrina, Paraná / Clinical profile of patients diagnosed with tuberculosis treated at the University Hospital of Londrina, Paraná

O objetivo deste estudo consistiu em analisar o perfil clínico de pacientes positivos para tuberculose através de um estudo epidemiológico, descritivo e retrospectivo, com base em dados secundários contidos em prontuários dos pacientes atendidos no Hospital Universitário de Londrina compreendendo de janeiro de 2010 a dezembro de 2014. Dos prontuários disponíveis para a análise no momento de estudo 86 casos eram positivos para tuberculose, sendo a maioria do sexo masculino (65/76%) com faixa etária compreendida entre 2 e 91 anos. Os principais sinais clínicos apresentados foram tosse (50/58%), febre (45/52%) e perda de peso (34/40%). Em relação à forma clinica, 58/67% dos pacientes apresentaram a forma pulmonar, e 28/33% a forma não pulmonar. Casos positivos para tuberculose em associação com HIV/AIDS corresponderam a 32/37%. Também foram relatados hábitos prejudiciais dos pacientes nos quais 30/34% eram tabagistas, 20/23% usuários de drogas e 14/16% etilistas. Diante da escassez de dados publicados referentes à tuberculose na nossa região e sua relevância para a saúde pública, nosso estudo contribui com os aspectos epidemiológicos principalmente em relação ao elevado número de casos de coinfecção com Vírus da Imunodeficiência Humana e pacientes com evolução a óbito, auxiliando assim, o desenvolvimento e implementação de campanhas ou projetos que visem o diagnóstico e tratamento precoce.

The objective of this study was to analyze the clinical profile of patients positive for tuberculosis through an epidemiological study, descriptive and retrospective, based on secondary data contained in medical records of patients that attended the Hospital Universitário de Londrina comprising from January 2010 to December 2014. From the medical records available for analysis at the moment of study 86 cases were positive for tuberculosis, being the majority male (65/76%) with age group comprised between 2 to 91 years. The main symptoms presented were cough (50/58%), fever (45/52%) and weight loss (34/40%). Regarding the clinical form, 58/67% of the patients presented the pulmonary form, and 28/33% the non-pulmonary form. Positive cases for tuberculosis in association with HIV/AIDS corresponded to 32/37%. Harmful habits were also reported in patients in which 30/34% were smokers, 20/23% drug users and 14/16% were alcoholics. Against scarcity of published data referring to tuberculosis in our region and its relevance to public health, our study contributes to the epidemiological aspects mainly in relation to the high number of cases of coinfection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus and patients with evolution to death, assisting the development and implementation of campaigns or projects aimed at early diagnosis and treatment.

Coproparasitological survey of intestinal parasites in the city of Londrina, Parana, Brazil: a retrospective analysis

Intestinal parasites are a major public health problem. It is important to inform and educate the public about these infections, especially where such data are scarce. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites from the analysis of medical records of individuals of the city of Londrina. We analyzed 11,641 fecal reports from February 2009 to December 2012. Data were cataloged after the completion of parasitological testing of Hoffmann, Pons & Janer, Faust and Kato-Katz. From 11,641 reports, 19.1% were positive for intestinal parasites. Among those, 52.1% pertained to females and 47.9% to males, with predominance of positivity of 27.1% among children 0-10 years. For the regions studied, the northern region stood out with 35.4% of cases and prevalence of 6.8%. Among the pathogenic protozoa, reports of Giardia lamblia comprised 19.1% of positivity, while hookworms were the most frequent among helminths, comprising 7.8% of positive cases. It follows that poor conditions of basic sanitation contribute to the dissemination of these parasites. Early diagnosis is a determinant of successful treatment. Additionally, epidemiological data may be used to study the risk factors for transmission and may result in measures applicable to improving living conditions in the community