Celiac Disease: Risks of Cross-Contamination and Strategies for Gluten Removal in Food Environments.

Celiac disease (CD) is the chronic immune-mediated enteropathy of the small bowel, manifesting when exposure to gluten occurs in genetically predisposed individuals. Nowadays, the only treatment considered safe for CD is a gluten-free diet (GFD). However, one of the problems faced by celiac patients is the cross-contamination of gluten-free food when preparing meals, in addition to utensils, surfaces and equipment. This study aimed to evaluate cross-contamination in gluten-free products and strategies for removing gluten from cross-contamination in cooking environments. The selection of papers for this integrative review was carried out by searching different databases. Gluten cross-contamination is a global concern for celiac patients in food environments. Although some practices are positive, such as gluten labeling on processed food in several countries, it is crucial to promote good practices in food services around the world. Only a few studies showed effective results in removing gluten from surfaces and utensils; furthermore, sampling was limited, making it difficult to identify appropriate procedures to reduce cross-contamination. The variation in contamination in different kitchen environments also highlighted that celiac patients must continue paying attention to the methods used to prepare gluten-free food. More research is needed, especially into methods of removing gluten from surfaces and utensils, to ensure food safety for celiac patients in many food environments.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus in Argentinean blood donors.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the main cause of enteric acute viral hepatitis worldwide. In this epidemiological framework, it has become a threat to blood safety and a relevant issue for blood transfusions. However, there is a paucity of data regarding prevalence of HEV infection. The aim of this study was to determine HEV seroprevalence in blood donors from different regions from Argentina. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Serum samples from 391 individuals attending five blood donor centers located in different regions from Argentina were analyzed for anti-HEV IgG and anti-HEV IgM. RESULTS: Overall, anti-HEV IgG was detected in 44 out of 391 (11.3%) samples. HEV prevalence ranged from 5.1 to 20.0% among different country regions. A significant difference in blood donors' age was observed between anti-HEV IgG positive and negative individuals [44 (37-51) vs. 35 (27-43), P < 0.001, respectively]. Anti-HEV IgM was detected in 8 out of 44 (18.2%) anti-HEV IgG positive cases. CONCLUSION: Anti-HEV IgG was detected in blood donor samples from five analyzed Argentinean regions, highlighting the wide distribution of the virus in the country. HEV prevalence was variable among different regions and significantly higher in older donors. Given the evidence of anti-HEV IgM presence in blood donors, suggesting a potential risk of transfusion-transmitted HEV, screening for HEV in blood units to be used in vulnerable population would be desirable. Molecular studies for detection of viremic donors and donor-recipients follow-up are necessary to certainly determine the risk of transfusion-transmitted HEV in Argentina.

Hepatitis B surface antibodies seroprevalence among people born before and after implementation of universal HBV vaccination.

Universal vaccination is the most effective strategy to control hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. In Argentina, vaccination against HBV was incorporated in year 2000 for newborns and in 2003 for 11 years old children. However, there is a paucity of data about protection levels against HBV infection. The aim of this work was to determine the prevalence of seroprotective anti-HBs antibodies (aHBs) in Argentina. Serum samples negative for HBsAg and anti-HBc from 132 children born after year 2000 and 762 blood donors, older than 18 years, from five centers across the country, were analyzed for aHBs. Titers ≥10 mIU/mL were observed in 74/132 children (56.1%) and 336/762 (44.1%) in blood donors. The median age for blood donors was 33.9 (23-43); from them, 210 (27.6%) were born after 1992 and, therefore, were catch-up by vaccine implementation at 11 years old age. Donors born in 1992 or before showed a significantly lower frequency of protection (32.2%) compared to donors born after 1992 (75.2%), p < 0.0001. In addition, significant differences were observed in the status of seroprotection between different participating centers (p = 0.024). Implementation of HBV vaccine in 2000 and 2003 implied an overall increase of the aHBs seroprotective rates, with a particularly adequate response in children vaccinated at 11 years old age. The observed results suggest that population born in 1992 or before is currently the most susceptible. Consequently, it would be advisable to become aware of the risk of transmission in this age group and to stress this population vaccination campaigns.

A trabalhadora rural e a exposição ocupacional no cultivo do tomate / The rural worker and the occupational exposure in growing tomatoes

O estudo teve por objetivo identifi car a percepção da mulher rural sobre sua exposição ocupacional no cultivo do tomate. Pesquisa descritivo-exploratória, realizada em localidades rurais que cultivam agricultura tomateira, na cidade de Vassouras, Rio de Janeiro/RJ. A escolha do cenário deve-se ao fato de grande número de mulheres trabalharem nestes espaços agrícolas. Além disto, o desenvolvimento da atividade de Agente Comunitária de Saúde promoveu familiaridade com o campo de estudo e viabilidade através da unidade de Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF) correspondente. Participaram do estudo 20 mulheres adultas que trabalham no cultivo do tomate. O instrumento utilizado para coleta de dados foi um questionário com 10 perguntas, levando em consideração aspectos referentes à saúde, exposição ocupacional e percepção frente a sua prática diária no manejo da agricultura em questão. Observou-se que, 25% dessas mulheres trabalham mais de 10 horas por dia, somente 35% delas usam Equipamento de Proteção Individual (EPI) e 65% das agricultoras não relacionam seu problema de saúde com seu ambiente de trabalho. Em síntese, o estudo traz contribuições para novas pesquisas no contexto da saúde da mulher rural como fator determinante para prevenção e promoção da saúde

The aim of this study was to identify the perception of rural women about their occupational exposure to tomato growing. Descriptive-exploratory research, carried out in rural localities that cultivate tomato agriculture, in the city of Vassouras, Rio de Janeiro / RJ. The choice of scenario is due to the large number of women working in these agricultural spaces. In addition, the development of the Community Health Agent activity promoted familiarity with the fi eld of study and viability through the corresponding Family Health Strategy unit. 20 adult women working in tomato cultivation participated in the study. The instrument used for data collection was a questionnaire with 10 questions, taking into account aspects related to health, occupational exposure and perception regarding their daily practice in the management of the agriculture in question. It was observed that 25% of these women works more than 10 hours a day, only 35% of them use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and 65% of the women farmers does not relate their health problem to their work environment. In summary, the study brings contributions to new research in the context of rural women's health as a determinant factor for prevention and health promotion

Diversidad y distribución de los crustáceos estomatópodos y decápodos en el estuario del río Gallegos (Santa Cruz, Argentina) / Diversity and distribution of stomatopod and decapod crustaceans in the estuary of Gallegos river (Santa Cruz-Argentina)

Estudiamos la diversidad y distribución de los crustáceos estomatópodos y decápodos en el estuario del río Gallegos, Argentina. En todas las estaciones se registró la presencia de decápodos, pero solo en la estación exterior se registraron estomatópodos y anomuros. La diversidad, fue marcadamente mayor en la estación exterior. Se registra un total de seis especies (cinco decápodos y un estomatópodo), indicando que la riqueza de crustáceos en el estuario es baja con relación a la señalada para el mar argentino. Su abundancia es variable en las estaciones, dependiendo del tipo de fondo.

We studied the diversity and distribution of stomatopod and decapod crustaceans from the estuary of Gallegos River, Argentina. Decapods were found at all stations, while stomatopods and anomurans were found only at the exterior station. There was a marked difference in diversity, the exterior station being more diverse. A total of six species were found (five decapods and one stomatopod), a low value when compared with the surrounding sea. Abundance was variable at stations, depending on the type of bottom.