Five-year serological and clinical evolution of chronic Chagas disease patients in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

BACKGROUND: Chagas disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is a neglected infectious disease that exerts the highest public health burden in the Americas. There are two anti-parasitic drugs approved for its treatment-benznidazole and nifurtimox-but the absence of biomarkers to early assess treatment efficacy hinders patients´ follow-up. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We conducted a longitudinal, observational study among a cohort of 106 chronically T. cruzi-infected patients in Cochabamba (Bolivia) who completed the recommended treatment of benznidazole. Participants were followed-up for five years, in which we collected clinical and serological data, including yearly electrocardiograms and optical density readouts from two ELISAs (total and recombinant antigens). Descriptive and statistical analyses were performed to understand trends in data, as well as the relationship between clinical symptoms and serological evolution after treatment. Our results showed that both ELISAs documented average declines up to year three and slight inclines for the following two years. The recorded clinical parameters indicated that most patients did not have any significant changes to their cardiac or digestive symptoms after treatment, at least in the timeframe under investigation, while a small percentage demonstrated either a regression or progression in symptoms. Only one participant met the "cure criterion" of a negative serological readout for both ELISAs by the final year. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The study confirms that follow-up of benznidazole-treated T. cruzi-infected patients should be longer than five years to determine, with current tools, if they are cured. In terms of serological evolution, the single use of a total antigen ELISA might be a more reliable measure and suffice to address infection status, at least in the region of Bolivia where the study was done. Additional work is needed to develop a test-of-cure for an early assessment of drugs´ efficacy with the aim of improving case management protocols.

Consumo de ayudas ergogénicas nutricionales y farmacéuticas en personas que asisten a gimnasios del municipio de Cercado, Cochabamba

Dado el problema de salud pública que plantean los esteroides anabólicos, el consumo de ayudas ergogénicas está aumentando a nivel mundial, no es en Bolivia. Además, existe un consumo desmedido de suplementos nutricionales y farmacéuticos, así como efectos reversibles e irreversibles de los esteroides anabólicos. Objetivos: describir cómo se consumen las ayudas ergogénicas nutricionales y farmacéuticas y cómo los asistentes a gimnasios en el municipio Cercado de Cochabamba perciben sus efectos en su salud. Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional transversal con 378 participantes mayores de 18 años, (estratificada) divididos en cuatro grupos; Amateur, Fitness, Deportista y en nueve gimnasios y dos grupos (NABBA-IFFB) y deportistas en general en el área metropolitana de Cercado Cochabamba. Resultados: se encontró que el 74,6% consume alguna sustancia que mejoran el rendimiento; el consumo de ayudas ergogénicas nutricionales fue del 57,1%(n=216) y farmacológicas el 17,4% (n=66). El tiempo dedicado a entrenamiento y dieta para el grupo amateur es estadísticamente significativo con un valor de (p<0,05). Los efectos percibidos y reportados por el consumo de ayudas ergogénicas farmacológicas (esteroides anabólicos androgénicos) son principalmente cambios de humor, alteración en la libido y acné. Entre los efectos secundarios irreversibles dos casos de hombres desarrollaron ginecomastia y dos mujeres desarrollaron clítoromegalia. Conclusiones: los usuarios de ejercicio en el gimnasio consumen grandes cantidades de sustancias nutricionales y/o farmacológica que mejoran el rendimiento.

Given the public health problem posed by anabolic steroids, the consumption of ergogenic aids is increasing worldwide, not indifferently in Bolivia. In addition, there is an excessive consumption of nutritional and pharmaceutical supplements, as well as reversible and irreversible effects of anabolic steroids. Objectives: to describe how nutritional and pharmaceutical ergogenic aids are consumed and how gym-goers in the Cercado municipality of Cochabamba perceive their effects on their health. Methods: a crosssectional observational study was conducted with 378 participants over 18 years of age, (stratified) divided into four groups; Amateur, Fitness, Athlete and in 9 gyms and 2 groups (NABBA-IFFB) and athletes in general in the metropolitan area of Cercado Cochabamba. Results: it was found that 74.6% consumed some performance-enhancing substance; the consumption of nutritional ergogenic aids was 57.1% (n=216) and pharmacological aids 17.4% (n=66). Time dedicated to training and diet for the amateur group is statistically significant with a value of (p<0.05). The perceived and reported effects of the consumption of pharmacological ergogenic aids (anabolic androgenic steroids) are mainly mood changes, libido alteration and acne. Among the irreversible side effects 2 cases of men developed gynecomastia and 2 women developed clitoromegaly. Conclusions: exercise users in the gym consume large amounts of nutritional and/or pharmacological performance enhancing substances.

El Estigma Social Asociado a la Enfermedad de Chagas

Resumen Objetivos: identificar a partir de relatos individuales y familiares los componentes del estigma social asociado a un diagnóstico de Chagas positivo. Métodos: el estudio recopila los testimonios de tres familias a través de entrevistas a profundidad que fueron grabadas, cuyo contenido fue estructurado y luego compartido entre los investigadores a través de un proceso de triangulación. Resultados: se identificaron las diferentes formas de estigma social, experimentado, percibido, anticipado, así como el autoestigma, el estigma por asociación y comportamientos de discriminación; lo que conlleva el aislamiento social, refuerza los miedos tradicionalmente relacionados a esta enfermedad, y provoca tensiones intrafamiliares. El estigma social y el silencio que lo acompaña son serias barreras de acceso a la consulta médica y al tratamiento antiparasitario. Conclusiones: Es importante tomar en cuenta aspectos de tipo psico-socio-cultural en las estrategias de atención integral de Chagas, principalmente en los programas de información, educación, comunicación (IEC) y durante la consulta médica. Para romper el estigma y el silencio que lo acompaña, es indispensable integrar las personas afectadas por Chagas y otros actores de la sociedad civil en el diseño de esas estrategias.

Abstract Objectives: to identify the components of social stigma associated with a positive diagnosis of Chagas disease based on individual and family accounts. Methods: The study compiles the testimonies of 3 families through in-depth interviews that were recorded, the content of which was structured and then shared among the researchers through a process of triangulation. Results: different forms of social stigma, experienced, perceived, anticipated, as well as self-stigma, stigma by association and discriminatory behaviours were identified, leading to social isolation, reinforcing traditional fears associated with the disease, and causing intra-familial tensions. Social stigma and the silence that accompanies it are serious barriers to access to medical consultation and deworming treatment. Conclusions: It is important to take into account psycho-socio-cultural aspects in strategies for comprehensive care of Chagas disease, especially in information, education and communication (IEC) programmes and during the medical consultation. Also, to break the stigma and the silence surrounding it, it's essential to integrate people affected by Chagas and other civil society actors into the conception of these programs.

Implementación de un modelo de comunicación en Chagas basado en la estrategia de educación por pares / Implementation of a communication model in Chagas based on the peer education strategy

OBJETIVOS: el presente estudio evalúa el cambio en las perspectivas, conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas de los familiares de un grupo de pacientes capacitados con la estrategia de educación por pares que fueron tratados en la Plataforma de atención integral de Chagas, y si ese cambio se traduce en un aumento de la demanda de atención integral de Chagas en los servicios de salud del Valle Alto de Cochabamba. MÉTODOS: se comparó los resultados de la encuesta realizada en 32 familiares de 8 pacientes capacitados en 2018 (grupo A) con una encuesta similar realizada en 64 familiares de 16 pacientes tratados en 2017 (grupo B) que no fueron capacitados, pero en cambio recibieron la consejería que provee el personal de salud de forma rutinaria. RESULTADOS: los resultados obtenidos muestran que los familiares de pacientes educadores pares han modificado sus conocimientos, actitudes, prácticas y percepciones sobre la enfermedad de Chagas y este cambio ha influido positivamente la demanda de atención de servicios integrales para dicha enfermedad. CONCLUSIÓN: la estrategia de educación por pares ha demostrado ser eficaz, fácil de aplicar por un personal de enfermería en los 1º y 2º niveles de atención, y que permite llegar a las familias afectadas a un costo relativamente bajo.(AU)

OBJECTIVES: this study aims to identify changes in the perspectives, knowledges, attitudes and practices of the relatives of a group of patients treated in the Platform of integral care of Chagas, and trained as peer educators, and if that changes led to an increase of the Chagas demand in the health services of Valle Alto, in Cochabamba department. METHODS: we compared the results of the survey conducted on 32 relatives of 8 patients trained in 2018 (group A) with a similar survey conducted on 64 family members of 16 patients treated in 2017 (group B) who were not specifically trained, but received the counseling routinely provided by the health staff. RESULTS: the results show that relatives of peer educators have modified their knowledge, attitudes, practices and perceptions about Chagas disease and this change has influenced the demand for diagnosis of this disease. CONCLUSIONS: the strategy of peer education has proven to be effective, easy to apply by a nursing staff in the 1ª and 2ª levels of care, and allows reaching affected families at an affordable cost.(AU)

Conducta sexual y reproductiva durante la adolescencia de los estudiantes de la Universidad Mayor de San Simón / Sexual and reproductive behavior during adolescence of students of the San Simon University

OBJETIVOS: analizar los factores relacionados con la conducta sexual de riesgo, durante la adolescencia de los estudiantes de la Universidad Mayor de San Simón, gestión 2018. MÉTODOS: estudio retrospectivo, de cohorte, el muestreó fue no probabilístico con criterios de inclusión y exclusión. Se aplicó una encuesta auto administrada en cuatro sitios diferentes de la universidad. El análisis de los datos se realizó con el programa Epi-info v.7.2, empleando análisis uni y bivariado, como medidas de asociación OR, chi2 con un valor de p significante menor o igual a 0,05. RESULTADOS: la proporción de participantes que iniciaron su vida sexual activa durante la adolescencia fue del 50%, de estos el 31% no utiliza ningún método anticonceptivo y el 69% si utiliza algún método de anticoncepción, de los cuales el 46% prefiere utilizar el preservativo masculino o la píldora del día siguiente. Se encontró una relación significativa del inicio de vida sexual precoz (antes de los 16 años) con las variables: ser varón, provenir de una familia disfuncional, poco acceso a fuentes de información sobre sexualidad, consumo de sustancias psicoactivas antes de la relación sexual y el haber tenido una pareja sexual informal o casual. CONCLUSIÓN: una conducta sexual adecuada en el adolescente depende en gran medida de un entorno familiar funcional y del acceso adecuado a información sobre sexualidad y reproducción. La prevención de embarazos no deseados y de infecciones de transmisión sexual en adolescentes debe centrarse también en el entorno familiar y de la sociedad del adolescente.(AU)

OBJECTIVES: to analyze factors related to sexual risk behavior during the adolescence of students at the San Simón University, management 2018. METHODS: retrospective cohort study, sampling was non-probability with inclusion and exclusion criteria. A self-administered survey wasapplied in 4 different sites of the university. The analysis of the data was carried out with the program Epi-info v.7.2, using uni and bivariate analysis, as association measures OR, chi2 with a significant p value less than or equal to 0.05. RESULTS: the proportion of participants who began their active sexual life during adolescence was 50%, of whom 31% do not use any contraceptive method and 69% if they use any method of contraception, of whom 46% prefer to use the male condom or the morning-after pill. A significant relationship of early sexual debut (before age 16) was found with the variables: being male, coming from a dysfunctional family, little access to sources of information about sexuality, consumption of psychoactive substances before sexual intercourse, and having had an informal or casual sexual partner. CONCLUSIONS: adequate sexual behavior in the adolescent depends to a large extent on a functional family environment and adequate access to information on sexuality and reproduction. The prevention of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections in adolescents must also focus on the adolescent's family environment and society.(AU)

Rapid diagnostic tests duo as alternative to conventional serological assays for conclusive Chagas disease diagnosis.

Chagas disease is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. It affects several million people, mainly in Latin America, and severe cardiac and/or digestive complications occur in ~30% of the chronically infected patients. Disease acute stage is mostly asymptomatic and infection goes undiagnosed. In the chronic phase direct parasite detection is hampered due to its concealed presence and diagnosis is achieved by serological methods, like ELISA or indirect hemagglutination assays. Agreement in at least two tests must be obtained due to parasite wide antigenic variability. These techniques require equipped labs and trained personnel and are not available in distant regions. As a result, many infected people often remain undiagnosed until it is too late, as the two available chemotherapies show diminished efficacy in the advanced chronic stage. Easy-to-use rapid diagnostic tests have been developed to be implemented in remote areas as an alternative to conventional tests. They do not need electricity, nor cold chain, they can return results within an hour and some even work with whole blood as sample, like Chagas Stat-Pak (ChemBio Inc.) and Chagas Detect Plus (InBIOS Inc.). Nonetheless, in order to qualify a rapidly diagnosed positive patient for treatment, conventional serological confirmation is obligatory, which might risk its start. In this study two rapid tests based on distinct antigen sets were used in parallel as a way to obtain a fast and conclusive Chagas disease diagnosis using whole blood samples. Chagas Stat-Pak and Chagas Detect Plus were validated by comparison with three conventional tests yielding 100% sensitivity and 99.3% specificity over 342 patients seeking Chagas disease diagnosis in a reference centre in Sucre (Bolivia). Combined used of RDTs in distant regions could substitute laborious conventional serology, allowing immediate treatment and favouring better adhesion to it.

Prevalence of Chagas heart disease in a region endemic for Trypanosoma cruzi: evidence from a central Bolivian community.

BACKGROUND: Though the incidence of new Trypanosoma cruzi infections has decreased significantly in endemic regions in the Americas, medical professionals continue to encounter a high burden of resulting Chagas disease among infected adults. The current prevalence of Chagas heart disease in a community setting is not known; nor is it known how recent insecticide vector control measures may have impacted the progression of cardiac disease in an infected population. OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the current prevalence of T. cruzi infection and associated Chagas heart disease in a Bolivian community endemic for T. cruzi. METHODS: Nested within a community serosurvey in rural and periurban communities in central Bolivia, we performed a cross-sectional cardiac substudy to evaluate adults for historical, clinical, and electrocardiographic evidence of cardiac disease. All adults between the ages of 20 and 60 years old with T. cruzi infection and those with a clinical history, physical exam, or electrocardiogram consistent with cardiac abnormalities were also scheduled for echocardiography. RESULTS: Of the 604 cardiac substudy participants with definitive serology results, 183 were seropositive for infection with T. cruzi (30.3%). Participants who were seropositive for T. cruzi infection were more likely to have conduction system defects (1.6% vs. 0% for complete right bundle branch block and 10.4% vs. 1.9% for any bundle branch block; p = 0.008 and p < 0.001, respectively). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of bradycardia among seropositive versus seronegative participants. Echocardiogram findings were not consistent with a high burden of Chagas cardiomyopathy: valvulopathies were the most common abnormality, and few participants were found to have low ejection fraction or left ventricular dilatation. No participants had significant heart failure. CONCLUSIONS: Though almost one-third of adults in the community were seropositive for T. cruzi infection, few had evidence of Chagas heart disease.

Improved completion rates and characterization of drug reactions with an intensive Chagas disease treatment program in rural Bolivia.

BACKGROUND: Chagas disease treatment is limited by drug availability, adverse side effect profiles of available medications, and poor adherence. METHODS: Adult Chagas disease patients initiating 60-days of benznidazole were randomized to weekly or twice-weekly evaluations of medication adherence and screening for adverse drug events (ADEs). Mid-week evaluations employed phone-based evaluations. Adherence was measured by self-report, pill counts with intentional over-distribution, and Medication Event Monitoring Systems (MEMS). Prospective data were compared to historical controls treated with benznidazole at the same hospital. RESULTS: 162 prospective patients were compared to 172 historical patients. Pill counts correlated well with MEMS data (R = 0.498 for 7-day intervals, R = 0.872 for intervals >7 days). Treatment completion rates were higher among prospective than historical patients (82.1% vs. 65.1%), primarily due to lower abandonment rates. Rates of ADEs were lower among prospective than historical patients (56.8% vs. 66.9%). Twice-weekly evaluations increased identification of mild ADEs, prompting higher suspension rates than weekly evaluations. While twice-weekly evaluations identified ADEs earlier, they did not reduce incidence of moderate or severe ADEs. Many dermatologic ADEs were moderately severe upon presentation (35.6%), were not reduced by use of antihistamines, occurred among adult patients of all ages, and occurred throughout treatment, rather than the first few weeks alone. CONCLUSIONS: Intensive management improved completion and identified more ADEs, but did not reduce moderate or severe ADEs. Risk of dermatologic ADEs cannot be reduced by selecting younger adults or monitoring only during the first few weeks of treatment. Pill counts and phone-based encounters are reliable tools for treatment programming in rural Bolivia.

Gut hormones, appetite suppression and cachexia in patients with pulmonary TB.

BACKGROUND: Cachexia is a hallmark of pulmonary tuberculosis and is associated with poor prognosis. A better understanding of the mechanisms behind such weight loss could reveal targets for therapeutic intervention. The role of appetite-regulatory hormones in tuberculosis is unknown. METHODS AND FINDINGS: 41 subjects with newly-diagnosed pulmonary TB (cases) were compared to 82 healthy controls. We measured appetite, body mass index (BMI), % body fat (BF), plasma peptide YY (PYY), leptin, ghrelin, and resistin for all subjects. Measurements were taken at baseline for controls and at treatment days 0, 30, and 60 for cases. Baseline appetite, BMI, and BF were lower in cases than in controls and improved during treatment. PYY, ghrelin, and resistin were significantly elevated in cases and fell during treatment. Leptin was lower in cases and rose with treatment. Appetite was inversely related to PYY in cases. High pre-treatment PYY predicted reduced gains in appetite and BF. PYY was the strongest independent predictor of appetite in cases across all time points. CONCLUSIONS: Appetite-regulatory hormones are altered in TB patients. As hormones normalize during treatment, appetite is restored and nutritional status improves. High baseline PYY is an indicator of poor prognosis for improvement in appetite and nutrition during treatment. Wasting in TB patients may partly be mediated by upregulation of PYY with resulting appetite suppression.

Relación entre asma y toxocariasis en pacientes pediátricos en Cochabamba, Bolivia / Relationship between toxocariasis and asthma in pediatric patients in Cochabamba, Bolivia

Objetivos: identificar la relación entre asma y toxocariasis y los factores de riesgo para cada una de estas enfermedades. Métodos: estudio de tipo caso control. Se incluyeron pacientes entre 2-13 años de edad, de los cuales 41 pacientes tienen el diagnóstico de asma y 41 niños (controles) sin asma que fueron pareados por edad y sexo. Resultados: no se demostró una relación estadísticamente significativa entre Asma y Toxocariasis. Los factores que mostraron ser un riesgo para asma en los pacientes fue el antecedente de tener un familiar con asma, historia de alergias previas y el juego frecuente con perros en el domicilio. La seroprevalencia para toxocariasis fue baja en la serie de estudio (6%). La mayor parte de los niños tienen en su casa perros, suelen jugar en parques y plazuelas y en sus casas tienen patios y jardines con suelo de tierra o césped, en número menor de casos los niños tienen pica. Conclusiones: la escasa información existente sobre toxocariasis en animales y humanos, así como la interacción con el asma amerita ampliar investigaciones epidemiológicas en nuestro medio.

Objectives: to identify the relationship between asthma and toxocariasis and risk factors for each of these diseases. Methods: case-control study. Patients aged 2-13 years old, of whom 41 are patients with a diagnosis of asthma (cases) and 41 children (controls) without asthma who were matched for age and sex. Results: there was not a statistically significant relationship between asthma and Toxocariasis. The factors to be a risk for asthma patients was having a family history of asthma, history of previous allergiesand frequent playing with dogs at home. Toxocariasis seroprevalence was low in the study series (6%). Most children have dogs at home, usually play in parks and squares and have courtyards and gardens with soil and grass at home, in fewer cases of children have pica. Conclusions: the data were limited existing information on animal and human toxocariasis, as well as interaction with asthma warrants expanding epidemio-logical research in our midst.

El Método MODS, una Alternativa para el Diagnóstico de la Tuberculosis y la Detección de Cepas Multidrogoresistentes / The MODS Method, an Alternative for the Diagnosis of Tuberculosis and the Detection of Multidrug-Resistance Strains

En reiteradas ocasiones se ha establecido la necesidad de contar con un método rápido, sensible, específico y de bajo costo que permita realizar un diagnóstico oportuno de la Tuberculosis y la detección temprana de cepas de Mycobacterium tuberculosis multidrogaresistentes. Respondiendo a esta necesidad se ha diseñado un método capaz de distinguir entre pacientes con Tuberculosis y pacientes control sanos, además de facilitar la detección de cepas resistentes a los fármacos isoniacida y rifampicina de manera más rápida y efectiva en comparación con las pruebas consideradas como Gold Standard. En esta revisión analizaremos el método de Susceptibilidad a Fármacos mediante Observación Microscópica (MODS).

Has been repeatedly highlighted the need for a rapid, sensitive, specific and low-cost method that allows early diagnosis of Tuberculosis and multidrug-resistance strains. Responding to this need, a method has been designed, wich is able to distinguish between patients with Tuberculosis and healthy control patients, also facilítate the detection of drug-resistance strains to the drugs isoniazid and rifampin for faster and more effective way compared to the tests considered as Gold Standard. In this review we discuss the method Microscopic-Observation Drug Susceptibility (MODS).

Factores que inlluyen la adherencia a la suplemntación con sulfato ferroso durrante el embarazo / Factors influencing adherence to supplementation with iron sulfate during pregnancy

El uso de sulfato ferroso en la prevención de las anemias durante el embarazo es obligatorio y gratuito a la paciente por el SUMI, sin embargo, se desconoce el nivel de adherencia a la prescripción durante los controles prenatales y los factores que influyen en la falta de adherencia, la identificación de estos factores corresponde al objetivo de este trabajo. Se presenta un estudio tipo caso control llevado a cabo en 182 mujeres que se encontraban en su puerperio inmediato en el Hospital Materno Infantil Germán Urquidi entre agosto y septiembre del 2009, de las cuales 135 pacientes fueron catalogadas con mala adherencia (casos) y 47 con buena adherencia (controles). Se buscaron factores epidemiológicos, factores dependientes de la terapéutica, efectos adversos, relación médico-paciente y percepción/actitudes frente al medicamento. Resultados: La adherencia reportada fue del 26%. La falta de estudios de primaria completos (OR=2,12; p=0,0355), la presencia de náuseas (OR 3,05; p= 0,02) y el tiempo prolongado de tratamiento (OR 2,46; p=0,011) demostraron estadísticamente disminuir la adherencia a sulfato ferroso. Contribuyen con una buena adherencia la toma del medicamento en un horario regular (0R=0,49 p=0,01) y la confianza en el médico que prescribió el sulfato ferroso (OR 0,34 p=0,046). Para lograr una buena adherencia de las mujeres se debe reforzar la relación médico - paciente y la explicación sobre los efectos del medicamento de acuerdo al nivel de instrucción de la paciente.

The use of ferrous sulfate in the prevention of anemia during pregnancy is free and required for patients by the Universal Maternal Child Insurance (SUMI), however, the level of drug adherence at prenatal checkups and the factors influencing non-adherence are unknown. The purpose of this study is the identification of these factors. We present a case-control study of 182 women in the immediate postpartum period in the "German Urquidi Maternal Child Hospital" from August to September 2009, of which 135 patients were categorized with poor adherence (cases) and 47 women with good adherence (controls). We analyzed epidemiological factors, therapy-dependent factors, adverse effects, physician-patient relationships, and patient perception / attitudes towards medication. Results: The drug adherence was 26%. Incomplete primary education (OR = 2.12, p = 0.0355), presence of nausea (OR 3.05, p = 0.02) and the long time of treatment (OR 2.46, p=0.011) demonstrated a negative effect on drug adherence. Factors associated with good drug adherence were a strict regular dosing schedule (OR = 0.49, p = 0.01) and a trusting relationship with the prescribing physician (OR 0.34, p = 0.046). To achieve a good drug adherence should improve the relation doctor - patients and explanations about the drug's effects by level of education of the patient.