Metabolic and nutritional triggers associated with increased risk of liver complications in SARS-CoV-2.

Obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, cancer and smoking are risk factors for negative outcomes in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which can quickly induce severe respiratory failure in 5% of cases. Coronavirus disease-associated liver injury may occur during progression of SARS-CoV-2 in patients with or without pre-existing liver disease, and damage to the liver parenchyma can be caused by infection of hepatocytes. Cirrhosis patients may be particularly vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 if suffering with cirrhosis-associated immune dysfunction. Furthermore, pharmacotherapies including macrolide or quinolone antibiotics and steroids can also induce liver damage. In this review we addressed nutritional status and nutritional interventions in severe SARS-CoV-2 liver patients. As guidelines for SARS-CoV-2 in intensive care (IC) specifically are not yet available, strategies for management of sepsis and SARS are suggested in SARS-CoV-2. Early enteral nutrition (EN) should be started soon after IC admission, preferably employing iso-osmolar polymeric formula with initial protein content at 0.8 g/kg per day progressively increasing up to 1.3 g/kg per day and enriched with fish oil at 0.1 g/kg per day to 0.2 g/kg per day. Monitoring is necessary to identify signs of intolerance, hemodynamic instability and metabolic disorders, and transition to parenteral nutrition should not be delayed when energy and protein targets cannot be met via EN. Nutrients including vitamins A, C, D, E, B6, B12, folic acid, zinc, selenium and ω-3 fatty acids have in isolation or in combination shown beneficial effects upon immune function and inflammation modulation. Cautious and monitored supplementation up to upper limits may be beneficial in management strategies for SARS-CoV-2 liver patients.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Burnout Syndrome among Primary Health Care Nursing Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the prevalence and factors associated with Burnout Syndrome (BS) in Primary Health Care (PHC) nursing professionals from the state of Bahia, Brazil. A multicentre, cross-sectional population-based study was conducted in a cluster sample among 1125 PHC Nursing professionals during the years 2017 and 2018. We used a questionnaire that included sociodemographic, labor and lifestyle variables and the Maslach Burnout Inventory scale to identify BS. The associations were evaluated using a robust Poisson regression with the hierarchical selection of the independent variables. The prevalence of BS was 18.3% and the associated factors were ethnicity (prevalence ratio (PR) = 0.62, confidence interval (CI) 95% = 0.47-0.83), residence (PR = 2.35, CI 95% = 1.79-3.09), economic situation (PR = 1.40, CI 95% = 1.06-1.86), satisfaction with current occupation (PR = 1.75, CI 95% = 1.31-2.33), (PR = 1.60, CI 95% = 1.23-2.08), rest (PR = 1.83, 95% CI = 1.41-2.37), technical resources and equipment (PR = 1.37, CI 95% = 1.06-1.77), night shift (PR = 1.49, CI 95% = 1.14-1.96), physical activity practice (PR = 1.72; CI 95% = 1.28-2.31), smoking (PR = 1.82, CI 95% = 1.35-2.45), and satisfaction with physical form (PR = 1.34, CI 95% = 1.01-179). Strategies are needed to prevent BS, with an emphasis on implementing worker health programs in the context of PHC.

Metabolic Syndrome Among Primary Health Care Nursing Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Population-Based Study.

This research aims at evaluating prevalence and factors associated with metabolic syndrome (MS) in primary health care (PHC) nursing professionals. A multicenter, population-based and cross-sectional study was conducted in a team-tested sample of 1125 PHC nurses in the state of Bahia, Brazil. Sociodemographic, labor, lifestyle and human biology variables were investigated by mean of anamnesis. MS was evaluated according to the criteria of the first Brazilian Guideline for Metabolic Syndrome, which fully adopts the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III. MS-associated factors were tested by using robust Poisson Regression. The prevalence of MS found was 24.4%; low High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was the most prevalent component of the syndrome. In the multivariate analysis, physical inactivity (PR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.02-1.53), alcohol use (PR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.22-2.77), acanthosis nigricans (PR = 3.23, 95% CI = 2.65-3.92), burnout syndrome (PR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.17-1.81), (PR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.12-1.69), working as a nursing technician (PR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.14-1.80), were associated to MS. It was found that the prevalence of MS was high, which evidences the need for interventions in the PHC environment, improvement of working conditions, monitoring of worker safety and health, diet programs and physical activity.

Serological survey of Leishmania infection in blood donors in Salvador, Northeastern Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Visceral Leishmaniasis is endemic to Brazil, where it is caused by Leishmania infantum (syn. Leishmania chagasi). Following parasite inoculation, individuals may experience asymptomatic infection, raising the possibility of parasite transmission through the transfusion of contaminated blood products. In the present work, we evaluated the prevalence of asymptomatic Leishmania infection among blood donors in Salvador, northeastern Brazil. METHODS: Peripheral blood was collected from 700 blood donors attending the Blood Bank of Bahia (HEMOBA/SESAB), from January to September 2010. We evaluated anti-Leishmania serology by ELISA, employing Soluble Leishmania Antigen (sensitivity 90% and specificity 95%). The presence of parasite DNA was determined by qPCR, targeting a single copy gene (G6PD), and by end-point PCR, targeting multiple targets, namely a segment located in the Leishmania rRNA locus (ITS) and the conserved region of kinetoplastid DNA (kDNA) minicircles. RESULTS: The blood-donor population was comprised of 74.5% of males with a mean age of 34 years. Anti-Leishmania serology by ELISA was positive in 5.4% (38/700) individuals. One individual was also positive for Chagas' disease and another tested positive for Syphilis. Employing qPCR, parasite DNA was not found in any of 38 seropositive samples. However, by ITS PCR, 8/38 (21%) samples were positive and this positivity increased to 26/38 (68%) when we targeted kDNA amplification. Agreement between both techniques (ITS and kDNA PCR) was fair (kappa = 0.219). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that asymptomatic infection is present among the blood donor population of Salvador, a finding that warrants a broader discussion regarding the need to implement specific screening strategies.

[Bonding to implement the family health program at a basic health unit]. / Formação do vínculo na implantação do Programa Saúde da Família numa Unidade Básica de Saúde.

The objective of this study was to learn about strategies to develop binding between patients and Family Health Program (FHP) professionals at a basic health unit in the city of Fortaleza-CE. This descriptive and qualitative study was performed in August and September 2007 in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. Study informants were the 12 professionals working in the family health program teams. Data was collected through interviews and organized in the form of subject discourse categories, based on the Collective Subject Discourse technique, and analyzed according to the literature. The study complied with inherent ethical issues regarding research involving human beings. The professionals understand bond as relationship, complicity and trust. They believe that service organization, commitment and respect are indispensable to consolidate this process, which can be established with groups, user embracement and home visits. Emphasis is given to the importance of developing bonding in the Family Health Program as a strategy to improve health care.

Formação do vínculo na implantação do Programa Saúde da Família numa Unidade Básica de Saúde / Formación del vínculo en la implantación del Programa Salud de la Familia en una unidad básica de salud / Bonding to implement the Family Health Program at a basic health unit

Este estudo objetivou conhecer as estratégias de formação do vínculo entre usuários e profissionais do Programa de Saúde da Família (PSF) de uma unidade básica em Fortaleza-CE. Estudo descritivo de natureza qualitativa, realizado nos meses de agosto e setembro de 2007 em Fortaleza-Ceará-Brasil. Os informantes do estudo foram os 12 profissionais das equipes de saúde da família. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevista e organizados na forma de categorização das falas dos sujeitos, com base na técnica do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo e analisados com a literatura. Foram respeitadas as questões éticas inerentes a estudos com seres humanos. Os profissionais compreendem vínculo como relacionamento, cumplicidade e confiança. Acreditam que organização do serviço, compromisso e respeito são indispensáveis para a consolidação deste processo, que pode ser formado com grupos, acolhimento e visita domiciliar. Ressalta-se a importância da formação do vínculo no Programa Saúde da Família como estratégia para uma melhor assistência à saúde.

The objective of this study was to learn about strategies to develop binding between patients and Family Health Program (FHP) professionals at a basic health unit in the city of Fortaleza-CE. This descriptive and qualitative study was performed in August and September 2007 in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. Study informants were the 12 professionals working in the family health program teams. Data was collected through interviews and organized in the form of subject discourse categories, based on the Collective Subject Discourse technique, and analyzed according to the literature. The study complied with inherent ethical issues regarding research involving human beings. The professionals understand bond as relationship, complicity and trust. They believe that service organization, commitment and respect are indispensable to consolidate this process, which can be established with groups, user embracement and home visits. Emphasis is given to the importance of developing bonding in the Family Health Program as a strategy to improve health care.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo conocer las estrategias de formación del vínculo entre usuarios y profesionales del Programa Salud de La Familia (PSF) de una unidad básica en Fortaleza-CE. Estudio descriptivo, de naturaleza cualitativa, realizado en los meses de agosto y septiembre de 2007 en Fortaleza-Ceará-Brasil. Los informantes del estudio fueron los 12 profesionales de los equipos de salud de la familia. Los datos fueron recolectados por medio de una entrevista y los discursos de los sujetos fueron organizados en categorías, con base en la técnica del Discurso del Sujeto Colectivo y analizados con la literatura. Fueron respetadas las cuestiones éticas inherentes a los estudios con seres humanos. Los profesionales comprenden al vínculo como siendo una relación, una complicidad y en la que debe existir confianza. Piensan que la organización del servicio, el compromiso y el respeto son indispensables para la consolidación de este proceso, que puede ser formado con grupos, acogimiento y visita domiciliar. Se destaca la importancia de la formación del vínculo en el Programa Salud de la Familia, como estrategia para obtener una mejor asistencia a la salud.

Rebiopsy in patients with untreated hepatitis C: a useful procedure.

BACKGROUND: The progression of fibrosis in the early stages of chronic hepatitis C virus is variable, and the ideal interval to perform a new biopsy in untreated patients is still unknown. AIMS: We evaluated the histologic progression of patients with untreated hepatitis C virus with two liver biopsies and correlated disease progression with demographic, epidemiologic, biochemical, and histologic variables. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Untreated hepatitis C virus-infected patients with two liver biopsies at a minimum interval of 1 year were studied. Gender, age, parenteral risk factors, duration of infection, alcohol intake, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, and histologic findings were analyzed. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients were included. The first biopsy showed low grades of fibrosis and periportal necroinflammatory activity in 93%. A second biopsy was performed after 39 +/- 14 months; 40% of patients showed a progression of fibrosis and/or periportal necroinflammation. Comparison between groups with and without histologic worsening revealed no differences in demographic, epidemiologic, biochemical, or histologic data. CONCLUSIONS: Histologic worsening occurred in 40% of untreated patients after 3.2 years. No factor could be established at the first biopsy to predict which patients are at risk of progression. Thus, histologic reassessment between 3 and 5 years seems to be the only approach to document disease progression and establish treatment indication.

Determination of alanine aminotransferase in blood donor screening--evidence of its usefulness in the prevention of post-transfusion hepatitis.

A total of 408 HBsAg and anti-HCV-negative patients with elevated ALT levels referred from blood banks were studied. Of these, 359 were followed up. HBsAg and anti-HCV were repeated in the first visit and ALT was checked at a 3 months interval. A liver biopsy was indicated when ALT levels remained abnormal for more than 6 months. Of the patients included, 316/359 (88%) were men, with a mean age of 34 years. In the first visit, 3 (0.8%) patients were anti-HCV positive upon serological reevaluation, with persistence of elevated ALT in all of them. A biopsy revealed chronic hepatitis in all three cases. Twenty-two patients were positive for anti-HBc, 20 of them were immune (anti-HBs positive), one developed anti-HBs after a vaccine dose, and one was HBsAg positive. The present study suggests that ALT can be a useful marker for the detection of hepatitis C virus infected donors in whom technical problems might have occurred in serological screening.

Role of gamma-glutamyl transferase activity in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

BACKGROUND: Increased serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels are frequently observed in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, the significance of this finding remains unclear. The purpose of the present paper was to assess the relationship between GGT levels and clinical, biochemical and histological features in chronic HCV-infected carriers. METHODS: Patients with a liver biopsy presenting anti-HCV and HCV-RNA were evaluated. Age, gender, risk factors of transmission, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), GGT and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels and histological features were assessed in all. Data were analyzed statistically by the chi2 test and multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Among 201 patients studied, elevated GGT levels and bile duct damage were observed in 48% and 35% of them, respectively. No association was seen between GGT level and bile duct damage or between GGT level and hepatic steatosis. Initially, age >40 years (P=0.007), elevated ALT (P=0.01), grading of inflammatory activity (P=0.004) and staging of fibrosis (P<0.001) were found to be associated with elevated GGT levels. After multivariate regression analysis, histology grading 3 and 4 inflammation activity (P=0.01) and staging 3 and 4 fibrosis (P=0.01) remained independently associated with elevated GGT level. CONCLUSIONS: A significant number of patients with chronic HCV infection had elevated serum GGT levels. Furthermore, this enzyme seemed to be useful as an indirect marker of more advanced liver disease in chronic hepatitis C.

Manifestaçöes estra-hepáticas do virus da hepatite C - Parte 1 e 2 / Extrahepatic manifestations of hepatitis C vurus

Após a identificação do vírus da hepatite C (HCV), em 1989, diversos estudos vêm demonstrando a "relação" deste agente viral com desordens imunológicas e manifestações, tidas como extra-hepáticas, tornando-se a mais relevante a crioglobulinemia mista. O presente trabalho visa rever estas manifestações do HCV, analisando os dados publicados, citando exemplos pertinentes e resultados de atividades desenvolvidas no ambulatório de Hepatites da Disciplina de Gastroenterologia da Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM) - UNIFESP. Serão discutidas amplamente as manifestações bem conhecidas e melhor definidas, tais como a indução de auto-anticorpos (antinúcleo e antimúsculo liso), a crioglubulinemia mista (tipos II e III), o linfoma não-Hodgkin (células B), a glomerulonefrite (membranoproliferativa), a porfiria cutânea tarda e o líquen plano. As manifestações menos freqüentes ou mais polêmicas, tidas ainda com supostas, entre as quais se incluem o diabetes mellitus (tipo 2), a tireoidite (Hashimoto), a sialoadenite a fibrose pulmonar, entre outras, também serão abordadas. Em virtude da grande quantidade de artigos levantados, como conseqüência provavelmente da controvérsia de seus resultados, esta revisão, para fins de publicação, será dividida em duas partes.

Ocorrência de hepatites virais em profissionais da área de saúde / Occurrence of viral hepatitis among health care workers

Profissionais da área de saúde (PAS) apresentam maior risco ocupacional de aquisiçäo de determinadas doenças, principalmente as transmissíveis por sangue ou derivados, como as hepatites B e C. Entre 1986 e 1998 foi realizado levantamento dos casos de hepatites virais que ocorreram em PAS atendidos no Ambulatório de Hepatites da Disciplina de Gastroenterologia da Escola Paulista de Medicina/Unifesp. Os PAS foram divididos em três categorias: médicos, pessoal de enfermagem (enfermeiras, auxiliares, atendentes) e outros profissionais (dentistas, biomédicos e técnicos de laboratório). Dentre os 4.211 pacientes com hepatite atendidos neste período, 141 (3,3 por cento) foram em PAS, sendo 39,7 por cento no pessoal de enfermagem, 35,5 por cento em outros profissionais e 24,8 por cento em médicos. Dos 114 casos, 13,5 por cento foram de hepatite A aguda, 26,9 por cento de B aguda, 26,9 por cento de B crônica, 26,9 por cento de C crônica e 5,8 por cento de hepatite NANB. A hepatite A aguda mostrou predomínio em outros profissionais (42,1 por cento) e médicos (36,9 por cento), seguido pelo pessoal de enfermagem (21 por cento). Na hepatite B aguda, outros profissionais (36,9 por cento) e pessoal de enfermagem (34,2 por cento) foram dominantes em relaçäo a médicos (28,9 por cento). Nas hepatites crônicas B e C houve predomínio do pessoal de enfermagem (39,5 por cento e 47,4 por cento, respectivamente), seguido por outros profissionais (28,9 por cento e 39,5 por cento) e médicos (31,6 por cento e 13,1 por cento). Näo houve casos de hepatite NANB em médicos, mas somente em pessoal de enfermagem (75 por cento) e outros profissionais (25 por cento). A comparaçäo da incidência das hepatites virais entre 1986-1991 e 1992-1997 mostrou uma tendência à diminuiçäo da maioria delas. A diminuiçäo dos casos de hepatite B pode ser atribuída à maior difusäo das precauçöes universais, em decorrêencia do HIV, e também da vacinaçäo contra a hepatite B a partir de 1991. A hepatite C crônica constitui exceçäo, com aumento significativo de 1 para 36 casos diagnosticados; isso se explica pelo fato do diagnóstico de certeza da hepatite C ter se tornado disponível a partir de 1991.

Epidemiology of acute Hepatitis B in a university hospital in Säo Paulo, Brazil: retrospective study of two five-year periods

HBV infection is endemic in Brazil and acute HBV infection is still a common disease. Objective: To analyze incidence, risk factors and evolution of acute HBV infection. Setting: University Hospital. Patients: 357 patients with acute HBV infection, comparing two periods: 1985-1989 vs. 1990-1994. Results: The overall incidence declined from 50 new cases/year in 1985-89 (30 per cent of all cases) to 25 new cases/year in 1990-94 (8 per cent of all cases). Transmission among male homosexuals (3.9 per cent of cases in 85-89) declined to 1.3 per cent in 90-94 (p>0.05). Amongst health care workers (HCW) it declined from 8.2 per cent to 2.0 per cent (p=0.02). Conversely, heterosexual transmission increased from 4.8 per cent to 10.1 per cent (p=0.06). Chronification of HBV infection following the acute episode was observed in 1.7 per cent. Fulminant hepatic failure was seen in 3.4 per cent. However, 27.2 per cent of patients were lost to follow-up before normalization of the biochemical tests. Conclusions: The different patterns of risk factors observed is probably related to measures for preventing AIDS and to HCW vaccination programs. Chronification following acute episodes was not a common event.

Comportamento clínico, bioquímico, virológico e histopatológico de doadores de sangue anti-HCV positivos de acordo com o fator de risco para aquisição do vírus da hepatite C / Clinical, biochemical, virological and hystological behavior with positive anti-HCV blood donors in accordance with the factors of risk for transmission of hepatitis C virus

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar o comportamento clínico, bioquímica, virológico e histológico de doadores de sangue anti-HCV positivos de acordo com o fator de risco para aquisição do HCV. Foram estudados 250 doadores de sangue com soroiogia positiva para o HCV, provenientes do banco de sangue do Hospital São Paulo. Os doadores foram divididos em dois grupos, de acordo com o fator de risco para aquisição do vírus da hepatite C: Grupo I (GI) = doadores com algum fator de risco parenterai; Grupo II (GII) = doadores que não apresentavam fator de risco parenterai (esporádico). Foram considerados fatores de risco parenteral: história de transfusão, droga intravenosa (DIV), tatuagem, profissionais da área de saúde (PAS). Realizados: exame físico geral e específico, bioquímica hepática (AST, ALT, FA, yGT), pesquisa do HCV-RNA e biópsia hepática. A avaliação clínica evidenciou hepatomegaiia em 73 doadores (29,2 por cento ) e sinais periféricos de doença hepática em 20 (8 por cento ), não havendo diferença quanto aos achados clínicos entre os dois grupos estudados. Entre os 250 doadores avaliados, 112 tinham antecedente parenteral (GI), e 135 não relatavam qualquer fator de risco para aquisição do HCV (GII). No GI, transfusão sanguínea foi o fator de risco mais prevaiente; no GII, 4 doadores relatavam uso de cocaína por via inaiatória, 7 tinham antecedente de promiscuidade sexual e 3 de homossexualismo. A avaliação bioquímica demonstrou que a maioria (72,8 por cento ) tinha ALT elevada, não havendo contudo, diferença quanto aos diversos parâmetros bioquímicas avaliados nos dois grupos. A pesquisa do HCV-RNA foi positiva em 70.6 por cento dos casos, havendo relação com a presença de fator de risco parenteral. No GII, houve relação entre presença de outros fatores de risco (cocaína nasal, promiscuidade e homossexualismo) e positividade para o HCV-RNA. A biópsia hepática foi realizada em 132 doadores e mostrou: fjgpdo norma) em l (O,8 por cento ), esteatose em 4 (3 por cento ), fígado reacional em 7 (5,3 por cento ), HC sem atividade em 34 (25,7 por cento ), HC com atividade em 81 (61,4 por cento ) e cirrose hepática em 5 (3,8 por cento ). A comparação entre os dois grupos não demonstrou diferença; não havendo portanto, relação entre diagnóstico histoiógico e fator de risco para aquisição do HCV. A avaliação da intensidade dos achados histológicos nos doadores com diagnóstico de HC mostrou que em 61,7 por cento dos caso...(au)

Critérios diagnósticos de hepatite auto-imune aplicados a pacientes do ambulatório de Hepatites da EPM-Unifesp / Diagnostic criteria for autoimmune hepatitis applied to pacients from Escola Paulista de Medicina -UNIFESP

O presente estudo teve como objetivo realizar levantamento dos casos suspeitos de hepatite auto-imune (HAI) atendidos no Ambulatório de Hepatites da UNIFESP-EPM, e submetê-los aos novos critérios diagnósticos propostos pelo International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group (IAHG) em 1993. De outubro de 1985 a junho de 1996 foram atendidos, no Serviço, 2958 pacientes, dos quais 35 (1,2 por ento) receberam diagnóstico de HAI, baseado em critérios clínicos e laboratoriais adotados na época. Novos critérios incluem sexo, doenças imunológicas associadas, uso de drogas, transfusäo sangüínea, uso de álcool, marcadores virais, gamaglobulinas, relaçäo FA/ALT, auto-anticorpos, quadro histológico e resposta ao tratamento com corticosteróide. Pelos novos critérios, apresentam diagnóstico definido (DD) os pacientes com score maior que 15 pontos; diagnóstico provável (DP) os com score entre 10 e 15; e diagnóstico improvável (DI) indivíduos com score abaixo de 10. Dos 35 casos de HAI, 8 (22,9 por cento) tiveram DD e 18 (51,4 por cento) DP, sendo a confirmaçäo para os casos suspeitos de 74,3 por cento. Concluiu-se que a prevalência de HAI foi de 1,2 por cento, caindo para 0,9 por cento após a adoçäo dos critários internacionalmente aceitos, o que demonstra que a doença é pouco comum em nosso meio. E, 25,7 por cento tiveram DI por estes critérios, sugerindo, além da dificuldade em diagnosticar corretamente esta patologia, que eventualmente os mesmos näo possam ser aplicados a todas as populaçöes indiscriminadamente, devendo-se observar limitaçöes de recursos laboratoriais e variaçöes geográficas peculiares.

Otimizaçäo do emprego de recursos econômicos para vacinaçäo contra hepatite B em profissionais da área de saúde / Application optimizing of economic resources to be allocated for hepatitis B vaccination programs involvinh health care workers

In order to optimize the employment of financial resources to be allocated for hepatitis B vaccination programs involving health care workers, two different aspects were studied: the need of a pre-vaccination screening and the efficacy of low-doses schedules of HBV vaccine by the intradermal (ID) route. The economical analysis (a cost-minimization study) showed that when the prevalence of immune individuals is higher than 11 per cent it is more cost-effective to perform pre-vaccination screening. This situation was observed in the employees group. For students and doctors vaccination without screening was the best approach. Regarding the schedules, 3 doses of HBV vaccine by the intramuscular (IM) route (group A) were compared to first dose by the ID route and second and third doses by the IM route (group B) and to first and second doses by the ID route and the last dose by the IM route (group C). After the third dose, soroconversion rates in groups A and B (92 per cent and 93 per cent, respectively) and geometric mean titers of antiHBs (1278 UI/L and 789.6 UI/L) were similar, and both were different from group A (p < 0.05), showing that alternative vaccination schedules may be cost-effective.