Multiple myeloma and Chagas disease: qPCR as a marker for preemptive antiparasitic therapy: a case reports series and review

ABSTRACT Multiple myeloma (MM) associated with Chagas disease is rarely described. This disease and its therapy suppress T cell and macrophage functions and increase regulatory T cell function, allowing the increase of parasitemia and the risk of Chagas Disease Reactivation (CDR). We aimed to analyze the role of conventional (cPCR) and quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) for prospective monitoring of T. cruzi parasitemia, searching for markers of preemptive antiparasitic therapy in MM patients with Chagas disease. Moreover, we investigated the incidence and management of hematological diseases and CDR both inside and outside the transplant setting in the MEDLINE database. We found 293 studies and included 31 of them. Around 1.9-2.0% of patients with Chagas disease were reported in patients undergoing Stem Cell Transplantation. One case of CDR was described in eight cases of MM and Chagas disease. We monitored nine MM and Chagas disease patients, seven under Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation (ASCT), during 44.56±32.10 months (mean±SD) using parasitological methods, cPCR, and qPCR. From these patients, three had parasitemia. In the first, up to 256 par Eq/mL were detected, starting from 28 months after ASCT. The second patient dropped out and died soon after the detection of 161.0 par Eq/mL. The third patient had a positive blood culture. Benznidazole induced fast negativity in two cases; followed by notably lower levels in one of them. Increased T. cruzi parasitemia was related to the severity of the underlying disease. We recommend parasitemia monitoring by qPCR for early introduction of preemptive antiparasitic therapy to avoid CDR.

Genetic diversity of Trypanosoma cruzi strains isolated from chronic chagasic patients and non-human hosts in the state of São Paulo, Brazil

BACKGROUND Trypanosoma cruzi shows an exuberant genetic diversity. Currently, seven phylogenetic lineages, called discrete typing units (DTUs), are recognised: TcI-TcVI and Tcbat. Despite advances in studies on T. cruzi and its populations, there is no consensus regarding its heterogeneity. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to perform molecular characterisation of T. cruzi strains, isolated in the state of São Paulo, to identify the DTUs involved and evaluate their genetic diversity. METHODS T. cruzi strains were isolated from biological samples of chronic chagasic patients, marsupials and triatomines through culture techniques and subjected to molecular characterisation using the fluorescent fragment length barcoding (FFLB) technique. Subsequently, the results were correlated with complementary information to enable better discrimination between the identified DTUs. FINDINGS It was possible to identify TcI in two humans and two triatomines; TcII/VI in 19 humans, two marsupials and one triatomine; and TcIII in one human host, an individual that also presented a result for TcI, which indicated the possibility of a mixed infection. Regarding the strains characterised by the TcII/VI profile, the correlation with complementary information allowed to suggest that, in general, these parasite populations indeed correspond to the TcII genotype. MAIN CONCLUSIONS The TcII/VI profile, associated with domestic cycles and patients with chronic Chagas disease, was the most prevalent among the identified DTUs. Furthermore, the correlation of the study results with complementary information made it possible to suggest that TcII is the predominant lineage of this work.

II Consenso Brasileiro em Doença de Chagas, 2015 / Brazilian Consensus on Chagas Disease, 2015

A doença de Chagas é uma condição crônica negligenciada com elevada carga de morbimortalidade e impacto dos pontos de vista psicológico, social e econômico. Representa um importante problema de saúde pública no Brasil, com diferentes cenários regionais. Este documento traduz a sistematização das evidências que compõe o Consenso Brasileiro de Doença de Chagas. O objetivo foi sistematizar estratégias de diagnóstico, tratamento, prevenção e controle da doença de Chagas no país, de modo a refletir as evidências científicas disponíveis. Sua construção fundamentou-se na articulação e contribuição estratégica de especialistas brasileiros com conhecimento, experiência e atualização sobre diferentes aspectos da doença. Representa o resultado da estreita colaboração entre a Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical e o Ministério da Saúde. Espera-se com este documento fortalecer o desenvolvimento de ações integradas para enfrentamento da doença no país com foco em epidemiologia, gestão, atenção integral (incluindo famílias e comunidades), comunicação, informação, educação e pesquisas.

Chagas disease is a neglected chronic condition that presents high morbidity and mortality burden, with considerable psychological, social, and economic impact. The disease represents a significant public health issue in Brazil, with different regional patterns. This document presents the evidence that resulted in the Brazilian Consensus on Chagas Disease. The objective was to review and standardize strategies for diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control of Chagas disease in the country, based on the available scientific evidence. The consensus is based on collaboration and contribution of renowned Brazilian experts with vast knowledge and experience on various aspects of the disease. It is the result of close collaboration between the Brazilian Society of Tropical Medicine and the Ministry of Health. This document shall strengthen the development of integrated control measures against Chagas disease in the country, focusing on epidemiology, management, comprehensive care (including families and communities), communication, information, education, and research.

Primary neural leprosy: systematic review / Hanseníase neural primária: revisão sistemática

The authors proposed a systematic review on the current concepts of primary neural leprosy by consulting the following online databases: MEDLINE, Lilacs/SciELO, and Embase. Selected studies were classified based on the degree of recommendation and levels of scientific evidence according to the “Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine”. The following aspects were reviewed: cutaneous clinical and laboratorial investigations, i.e. skin clinical exam, smears, and biopsy, and Mitsuda's reaction; neurological investigation (anamnesis, electromyography and nerve biopsy); serological investigation and molecular testing, i.e. serological testing for the detection of the phenolic glycolipid 1 (PGL-I) and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR); and treatment (classification criteria for the definition of specific treatment, steroid treatment, and cure criteria).

Os autores propuseram-se a realizar uma revisão sistemática em conceitos atuais sobre a hanseníase neural primária, consultando as seguintes bases bibliográficas on-line: MEDLINE, Lilacs/SciELO e Embase. Os estudos selecionados foram classificados conforme o grau de recomendação e o nível de evidência científica de acordo com o “Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine”. Os seguintes temas foram revisados: investigações clínica e laboratorial cutâneas, ou seja, exame, esfregaço e biópsia de pele e reação de Mitsuda; investigação neurológica (anamnese, eletroneuromiografia e biópsia de nervo); investigação sorológica e testes moleculares, ou seja, testes sorológicos para detecção de um glicolipídio fenólico e reação de cadeia de polimerase (PCR) e tratamento (critérios de classificação para definição de tratamento específico, tratamento com esteroides e critérios de cura).

Infection and immune-mediated meningococcal-associated arthritis: combination features in the same patient / Artrite meningocócica mediada imunologicamente e associada à infecção: combinação de ambas características no mesmo paciente

We present a case of a 16-year-old male patient with sudden-onset, rash, arthritis and meningitis by Neisseria meningitidis one week after an acute upper respiratory infection. On the 10th day of treatment followed by neurological and arthritis clinical improvement, he presented once again a tender and swollen left knee with a moderate effusion, and active and passive range of motion was severely limited secondary to pain, and when he was submitted to surgical drainage and synovial fluid analysis he showed inflammatory characteristics. A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug was taken for five days with complete improvement of symptoms. The case is notable for its combination of features of septic and immune-mediated arthritis, which has rarely been reported in the same patient.

Paciente de 16 anos do sexo masculino apresentou-se ao serviço de emergência com quadro de erupção cutânea súbita, artrite e meningite por Neisseria meningitidis, uma semana após apresentar sintomas de infecção de vias aéreas superiores. No décimo dia de tratamento, seguido da melhora clínica neurológica e da artrite, ele volta a apresentar derrame articular moderado com limitação importante da amplitude dos movimentos passivo e ativo secundária à dor. Em seguida, foi submetido à drenagem cirúrgica e a análise do líquido sinovial mostra características inflamatórias. Foi iniciado tratamento com antiinflamatório não esteroidal por cinco dias com melhora completa dos sintomas. Esse caso tem como característica peculiar o fato do indivíduo apresentar tanto as características de artrite séptica pelo meningococo quanto de artrite imunomediada, o que tem sido pouco usual no mesmo paciente.

Diretrizes para tratamento da sepse grave/choque séptico - abordagem do agente infeccioso - diagnóstico / Guidelines for the treatment of severe sepsis and septic shock - management of the infectious agent - diagnosis

A sepse tem alta incidência, alta letalidade e custos elevados, sendo a principal causa de mortalidade em unidades de terapia intensiva. Está claramente demonstrado que pacientes reconhecidos e tratados precocemente tem melhor prognóstico. Nesse sentido, a abordagem precoce do agente infeccioso, tanto no sentido do diagnóstico como no controle do foco infeccioso são fundamentais para a boa evolução do paciente. A presente diretriz aborda as evidências disponíveis na literatura em relação às principais estratégias para esse diagnóstico.

Sepsis is a common and lethal condition that carries a substantial financial burden and is the primary cause of death in intensive care units. Early diagnosis and treatment of patients has been clearly shown to improve prognosis. Therefore, early diagnosis of infections and control of the primary infection site are fundamental to improving patients' prognosis. This guideline reviews the available evidence concerning the primary strategies for the diagnosis of infection.

Diretrizes para tratamento da sepse grave/choque séptico: abordagem do agente infeccioso - controle do foco infeccioso e tratamento antimicrobiano / Guidelines for the treatment of severe sepsis and septic shock - management of the infectious agent - source control and antimicrobial treatment

A sepse tem alta incidência, alta letalidade e custos elevados, sendo a principal causa de mortalidade em unidades de terapia intensiva. Está claramente demonstrado que pacientes reconhecidos e tratados precocemente tem melhor prognóstico. Nesse sentido, a abordagem precoce do agente infeccioso, tanto no sentido do controle do foco infeccioso como da antibioticoterapia adequada são fundamentais para a boa evolução do paciente. A presente diretriz aborda as evidências disponíveis na literatura em relação às principais estratégias para controle e tratamento.

Sepsis is a common and lethal condition that carries a substantial financial burden. In addition, it is the main cause of death in intensive care units. Early diagnosis and treatment of patients has been clearly shown to improve prognosis. Therefore, early diagnosis of the infecting agent, control of the primary infection site and the use of appropriate antibiotic therapy are fundamental to improving outcomes. This guideline reviews the available evidence in the literature concerning infection control and therapy strategies.

Evaluation of different methods for Plasmodia detection, in well defined population groups in an endemic area of Brazil

Mais de 500.000 casos novos de malaria foram notificados no Brasil, em 1992. P. falciparum and P. vivax sao as especies responsaveis por 99,3 por cento dos casos. O diagnostico precoce e indispensavel para inicio do tratamento adequado. Neste trabalho, apresentamos or resultados do metodo tradicional para a deteccao de plasmodios, gota espessa, e os resultados de metodos alternativos estudados: imunofluorescencia indireta com anticorpo policlonal anti-P. falciparum e QBC-metodo, em grupos populacionais bem definidos....

Five cases of nosocomial and community-acquired Legionnaires' disease in São Paulo, Brazil

Legionella sp has been emerging over the last decade as an important cause of pneumonia both hospital and community-acquired. Following an outbreak in a Renal-Transplant Unit stocked serum was tested for antibodies against Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1, and 5 cases of Legionnaires' Disease were reviewed. Two of the cases were nosocomial and three cases were community-acquired. Clinical and laboratorial aspects were similar to those expected for other causes of pneumonia, however jaundice was encountered in two cases. This study suggests that the real incidence of pneumonia caused by Legionella sp is being underestimated and the authors emphasize the importance of considering Legionnaires' Disease when empirically treating community-acquired pneumonia.