Early ultrasound-guided drainage of tubo-ovarian abscesses versus conservative treatment: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the short and long-term benefits (the length of hospital stay, surgical complications, and early clinical improvement) of adding early ultrasound-guided drainage to broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment. METHODOLOGY: Patients undergoing tubo-ovarian abscess treatment between January 2017 and June 2022 in a tertiary hospital were retrospectively evaluated. Of the patients studied, 50 subjects were treated with antibiotics alone and 63 underwent guided drainage. Twenty-one individuals underwent early drainage within 72 hours of admission, and 42 underwent guided drainage after this period. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in the length of hospital stay between the groups simultaneously, averaging 6.4 days for the controls, 5.1 days for the early drainage group, and 9.6 days for the late drainage group (p = 0.290). In the multiple linear regression with the length of hospital stay outcome and adjusting for potential confounding factors, there was an average reduction of 2.9 days in the hospital stay (p = 0.04) for the early drainage group (< 72 hours) compared to the controls. Early clinical improvement and an expected drop in CRP were more frequent in patients who underwent drainage. Length of hospital stay increases with abscess diameter: 0.4 [(95% CI 0.1 - 0.7) (p = 0.05)] days per centimeter, regardless of other variables. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided drainage of tubo-ovarian abscesses associated with antibiotic therapy is an effective treatment, with few complications, and may lead to clinical improvement especially when performed early.

Bacteriological characteristics of primary breast abscesses in patients from the community in the era of microbial resistance.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the etiological profile and antimicrobial resistance in breast abscess cultures from patients from the community, treated at a public hospital located in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Methods: This is an retrospective cross-sectional study that evaluated the medical records of patients with bacterial isolates in breast abscess secretion cultures and their antibiograms, from January 2010 to August 2022. Results: Based on 129 positive cultures from women from the community diagnosed with breast abscesses and treated at Fêmina Hospital, 99 (76.7%) of the patients had positive cultures for Staphylococcus sp, 91 (92%) of which were cases of Staphylococcus aureus. Regarding the resistance profile of S. aureus, 32% of the strains were resistant to clindamycin, 26% to oxacillin and 5% to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. The antimicrobials vancomycin, linezolid and tigecycline did not show resistance for S. aureus. Conclusion: Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen found in the breast abscess isolates during the study period. Oxacillin remains a good option for hospitalized patients. The use of sulfamethoxazole plus trimethoprim should be considered as a good option for use at home, due to its low bacterial resistance, effectiveness and low cost.

Bacteriological characteristics of primary breast abscesses in patients from the community in the era of microbial resistance

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the etiological profile and antimicrobial resistance in breast abscess cultures from patients from the community, treated at a public hospital located in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Methods: This is an retrospective cross-sectional study that evaluated the medical records of patients with bacterial isolates in breast abscess secretion cultures and their antibiograms, from January 2010 to August 2022. Results: Based on 129 positive cultures from women from the community diagnosed with breast abscesses and treated at Fêmina Hospital, 99 (76.7%) of the patients had positive cultures for Staphylococcus sp, 91 (92%) of which were cases of Staphylococcus aureus. Regarding the resistance profile of S. aureus, 32% of the strains were resistant to clindamycin, 26% to oxacillin and 5% to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. The antimicrobials vancomycin, linezolid and tigecycline did not show resistance for S. aureus. Conclusion: Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen found in the breast abscess isolates during the study period. Oxacillin remains a good option for hospitalized patients. The use of sulfamethoxazole plus trimethoprim should be considered as a good option for use at home, due to its low bacterial resistance, effectiveness and low cost.

Disseminated Neonatal Monkeypox Virus Infection: Case Report in Brazil.

We present here a case of a newborn presenting with a vesicular rash on the scalp and thorax on day 9 of life. Vesicular fluid polymerase chain reaction testing confirmed the presence of Mpox virus DNA. Similar reports in newborns are rare, and we suggest that Mpox infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a neonatal vesicular rash, particularly if there is a history of similar rashes in the family.

Surgical Site Infection after Cesarean Delivery in Times of COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the consumption of personal protective equipment and products (PPEP), as well as the frequency of surgical site infection (SSI) among non-COVID-19 patients submitted to cesarean sections. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted in a maternity unity of a public teaching hospital which was not part of the reference service for COVID-19 treatment. It compared PPEP consumption and the occurrence of SSI after cesarean sections in monthly periods before and after the occurrence of the first case of COVID-19 in Porto Alegre, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Personal protective equipment and products consumption was measured as units of masks, gloves, gowns, and caps, and use of alcohol-based products or soap for hand sanitation as ml/patient/day. The SSI index was calculated as the proportion of cases of SSI over the number of cesarean sections performed monthly during the study period. RESULTS: There was an increase in all measured items of PPEP, with consumption of disposable masks with a median of 1,450 units in the pre-COVID period, and of 2550 in the post-COVID period (a 75.9% increase). A decrease of 49% in SSI was detected, with a median of 1.74 in the pre-COVID period and of 0.89 in the post-COVID period. CONCLUSION: The increase in consumption of PPEP could be a result of safer practices adopted by healthcare workers with the advent of COVID-19, of which the following reduction in the occurrence of SSI could be a direct consequence. Despite the severity of the crisis, one could state that extreme situations can lead to valuable reflections and opportunities for improvement.

OBJETIVO: Analisar os efeitos da pandemia de COVID-19 sobre o consumo de equipamentos e produtos de proteção individual (EPPI), assim como a frequência de infecção de sítio cirúrgico (ISC) em pacientes não infectadas por COVID-19 submetidas a cesarianas. MéTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo em uma maternidade de um hospital público de ensino que não fazia parte do serviço de referência para o tratamento do COVID-19. Foram comparados o consumo de EPPI e a ocorrência de ISC após cesárea nos períodos mensais antes e após a ocorrência do primeiro caso de COVID-19 em Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil. O consumo de EPPI foi medido em unidades de máscaras, luvas, aventais e gorros, e o uso de produtos à base de álcool ou de sabonete para higienização das mãos em ml/paciente/dia. O índice SSI foi calculado como a proporção de casos de ISC sobre o número de cesarianas realizadas mensalmente durante o período do estudo. RESULTADOS: Houve aumento em todos os itens medidos do EPPI, com o consumo de máscaras descartáveis apresentando uma mediana de 1.450 no período pré-COVID e de 2550 no período pós-COVID (aumento de 75,9%). Detectou-se também diminuição de ISC, com medianas de 1,74 no período pré-COVID e de 0,89 no período pós-COVID, com redução de 49% no valor da mediana. CONCLUSãO: O aumento do consumo de EPPI pode ser resultado de práticas mais seguras adotadas pelos profissionais de saúde com o advento do COVID-19, do qual a redução na ocorrência de ISC pode ser uma consequência direta. Apesar da gravidade da crise, pode-se afirmar que situações extremas podem gerar reflexões valiosas e oportunidades de melhorias.

Surgical Site Infection after Cesarean Delivery in Times of COVID-19 / Infecção de sítio cirúrgico após cesariana em tempos de COVID-19

Abstract Objective To analyze effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the consumption of personal protective equipment and products (PPEP), as well as the frequency of surgical site infection (SSI) among non-COVID-19 patients submitted to cesarean sections. Methods A retrospective study was conducted in a maternity unity of a public teaching hospital which was not part of the reference service for COVID-19 treatment. It compared PPEP consumption and the occurrence of SSI after cesarean sections in monthly periods before and after the occurrence of the first case of COVID-19 in Porto Alegre, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Personal protective equipment and products consumption was measured as units of masks, gloves, gowns, and caps, and use of alcohol-based products or soap for hand sanitation asml/patient/day. The SSI index was calculated as the proportion of cases of SSI over the number of cesarean sections performed monthly during the study period. Results There was an increase in all measured items of PPEP, with consumption of disposable masks with a median of 1,450 units in the pre-COVID period, and of 2550 in the post-COVID period (a 75.9% increase). A decrease of 49% in SSI was detected, with a median of 1.74 in the pre-COVID period and of 0.89 in the post-COVID period. Conclusion The increase in consumption of PPEP could be a result of safer practices adopted by healthcare workers with the advent of COVID-19, of which the following reduction in the occurrence of SSI could be a direct consequence. Despite the severity of the crisis, one could state that extreme situations can lead to valuable reflections and opportunities for improvement.

Resumo Objetivo Analisar os efeitos da pandemia de COVID-19 sobre o consumo de equipamentos e produtos de proteção individual (EPPI), assim como a frequência de infecção de sítio cirúrgico (ISC) em pacientes não infectadas por COVID-19 submetidas a cesarianas. Métodos Foi realizado umestudo retrospectivo em umamaternidade de um hospital público de ensino que não fazia parte do serviço de referência para o tratamento do COVID-19. Foram comparados o consumo de EPPI e a ocorrência de ISC após cesárea nos períodos mensais antes e após a ocorrência do primeiro caso de COVID-19 em Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil. O consumo de EPPI foimedido emunidades demáscaras, luvas, aventais e gorros, e o uso de produtos à base de álcool ou de sabonete para higienização das mãos em ml/paciente/dia. O índice SSI foi calculado como a proporção de casos de ISC sobre o número de cesarianas realizadas mensalmente durante o período do estudo. Resultados Houve aumento em todos os itens medidos do EPPI, com o consumo de máscaras descartáveis apresentando uma mediana de 1.450 no período pré-COVID e de 2550 no período pós-COVID (aumento de 75,9%). Detectou-se também diminuição de ISC, com medianas de 1,74 no período pré-COVID e de 0,89 no período pós-COVID, com redução de 49% no valor da mediana. Conclusão O aumento do consumo de EPPI pode ser resultado de práticas mais seguras adotadas pelos profissionais de saúde com o advento do COVID-19, do qual a redução na ocorrência de ISC pode ser uma consequência direta. Apesar da gravidade da crise, pode-se afirmar que situações extremas podem gerar reflexões valiosas e oportunidades de melhorias.

Case for diagnosis. Penile lesion in HIV-negative patient

Abstract We present the case of an HIV-negative man with asymptomatic penile erythematoviolaceous papules associated with similar slightly verrucous papules in the interdigital space of the right foot. A biopsy of the penile lesion confirmed Kaposi's sarcoma. No other causes of immunosuppression were observed. Penile lesions of KS are rare in HIV-negative individuals but it should also be considered in the differential diagnosis. Careful follow-up is recommended.

Case for diagnosis. Penile lesion in HIV-negative patient.

We present the case of an HIV-negative man with asymptomatic penile erythematoviolaceous papules associated with similar slightly verrucous papules in the interdigital space of the right foot. A biopsy of the penile lesion confirmed Kaposi's sarcoma. No other causes of immunosuppression were observed. Penile lesions of KS are rare in HIV-negative individuals but it should also be considered in the differential diagnosis. Careful follow-up is recommended.

Alternative antimicrobials for prophylaxis of the Group B Streptococcus maternal-fetal disease.

INTRODUCTION: GBS colonization is an important risk factor for maternal and neonatal infection morbidity and mortality. Intrapartum antibiotics may prevent vertical transmission of GBS from colonized mothers to their babies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of cefazolin prophylactic regimen for GBS disease, comparing it to the established penicillin-based protocols, given the opportunity provided by the temporary unavailability of first-choice antibiotics in Brazil. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective analysis was conducted at the Hospital Femina Obstetrics Service between January and December 2015. Ninety-eight pregnant women received standard penicillin (70 patients) or ampicillin (28 patients) antibiotic prophylaxis, and 251 pregnant women received an alternative prophylaxis with cefazolin during the study period. Risk factor, Maternal and neonatal outcomes were evaluated and compared between groups. RESULTS: No significant difference was found in maternal (RR = 0.71; IC 95%:0.30-1.68; p = 0.709) and neonatal (RR = 0.84; IC 95%:0.61-1.15; p = 0.271) outcomes between those patients using the alternative antibiotic prophylaxis in comparison to the standard antibiotics, with the dependent variable of maternal and neonatal outcomes grouped and controlled for potential confounding variables. CONCLUSIONS: The antibiotics used as alternatives to penicillin and ampicillin for the prevention of maternal-fetal GBS disease are poorly studied, and this study indicate that cefazolin can be an optimal choice, offering safety in the use of this antibiotic in situations where penicillins are contraindicated or unavailable.

The Use of Mobile Educational Tools to Improve Antimicrobial Prescription for the Treatment of Acute Pyelonephritis in Pregnancy: A Retrospective Cross-sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prescription of antimicrobial agents for pregnant women admitted into the obstetrics service who presented with acute pyelonephritis. METHODS: Three cross-sectional studies were performed comparing the prescription of antimicrobials for pyelonephritis in pregnant women in the time periods evaluated (2010-2011: 99 patients evaluated; 2013: 116 patients evaluated; 2015: 107 patients evaluated), at the Hospital Fêmina, Porto Alegre, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The analysis was performed before and after the promotion of an institutional protocol for the treatment of pyelonephritis during pregnancy, and on a third occasion after the introduction of a smartphone-based mobile educational tool. RESULTS: The evaluation of the prescribing physicians and the adequacy of the prescriptions between the different periods studied revealed a significant increase in appropriate conduct for the choice of antimicrobial (2010: 83.8%; 2013: 95.7%; and 2015: 100%), route of administration (2010: 97%; 2013: 100%; and 2015: 100%), and interval (2010: 91.9%; 2013: 95.7%; and 2015: 100%), following the introduction of the protocol, and again after the implementation of the software application with orientations on the antimicrobial treatment. CONCLUSION: The use of specific mobile applications should be encouraged to attain a better quality and accuracy in prescriptions and to include strategies that not only reduce the risk of negative outcomes, but also improve the quality of care and treatment for maintaining the health both of the mother and of the baby.

OBJETIVO: Analisar a prescrição de antimicrobianos para gestantes admitidas no serviço de obstetrícia que apresentaram pielonefrite aguda. MéTODOS: Foram realizados três estudos transversais comparando a prescrição de antimicrobianos para pielonefrite em gestantes nos períodos avaliados (2010­2011: 99 indivíduos avaliados; 2013: 116 indivíduos avaliados; 2015: 107 indivíduos avaliados), no Hospital Fêmina, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil. A análise foi realizada antes e após a promoção de um protocolo institucional para o tratamento da pielonefrite durante a gravidez e, em uma terceira ocasião, após a introdução de uma ferramenta educacional móvel para uso por smartphone. RESULTADOS: A avaliação das prescrições médicas e a adequação das prescrições entre os diferentes períodos estudados revelaram um aumento significativo na conduta adequada para a escolha do antimicrobiano (2010: 83,8%; 2013: 95,7%; e 2015: 100%), via de administração (2010: 97%; 2013: 100%; e 2015: 100%) e intervalo (2010: 91,9%; 2013: 95,7%; e 2015: 100%), após a introdução do protocolo, e novamente após a implementação do aplicativo com orientações sobre tratamento antimicrobiano. CONCLUSãO: O uso de aplicativos móveis específicos deve ser incentivado para obter melhor qualidade e precisão nas prescrições e incluir estratégias que não apenas reduzam o risco de resultados negativos, mas que também melhorem a qualidade dos cuidados e do tratamento para manter a saúde conjunta da mãe e do bebê.

The use of mobile educational tools to improve antimicrobial prescription for the treatment of acute pyelonephritis in pregnancy: A retrospective cross-sectional study / O uso de ferramentas educacionais móveis para o aperfeiçoamento da prescrição médica do tratamento de pielonefrite aguda na gestação: estudo transversal retrospectivo

Abstract Objective To analyze the prescription of antimicrobial agents for pregnant women admitted into the obstetrics service who presented with acute pyelonephritis. Methods Three cross-sectional studies were performed comparing the prescription of antimicrobials for pyelonephritis in pregnant women in the time periods evaluated (2010-2011: 99 patients evaluated; 2013: 116 patients evaluated; 2015: 107 patients evaluated), at the Hospital Fêmina, Porto Alegre, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The analysis was performed before and after the promotion of an institutional protocol for the treatment of pyelonephritis during pregnancy, and on a third occasion after the introduction of a smartphone-based mobile educational tool. Results The evaluation of the prescribing physicians and the adequacy of the prescriptions between the different periods studied revealed a significant increase in appropriate conduct for the choice of antimicrobial (2010: 83.8%; 2013: 95.7%; and 2015: 100%), route of administration (2010: 97%; 2013: 100%; and 2015: 100%), and interval (2010: 91.9%; 2013: 95.7%; and 2015: 100%), following the introduction of the protocol, and again after the implementation of the softwareapplicationwithorientationsontheantimicrobial treatment. Conclusion The use of specific mobile applications should be encouraged to attain a better quality and accuracy in prescriptions and to include strategies that not only reduce the risk of negative outcomes, but also improve the quality of care and treatment for maintaining the health both of the mother and of the baby.

Resumo Objetivo Analisar a prescrição de antimicrobianos para gestantes admitidas no serviço de obstetrícia que apresentaram pielonefrite aguda. Métodos Foram realizados três estudos transversais comparando a prescrição de antimicrobianos para pielonefrite em gestantes nos períodos avaliados (2010-2011: 99 indivíduos avaliados; 2013: 116 indivíduos avaliados; 2015: 107 indivíduos avaliados), no Hospital Fêmina, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil. A análise foi realizada antes e após a promoção de um protocolo institucional para o tratamento da pielonefrite durante a gravidez e, em uma terceira ocasião, após a introdução de uma ferramenta educacional móvel para uso por smartphone. Resultados A avaliação das prescrições médicas e a adequação das prescrições entre os diferentes períodos estudados revelaram um aumento significativo na conduta adequada para a escolha do antimicrobiano (2010: 83,8%; 2013: 95,7%; e 2015: 100%), via de administração (2010: 97%; 2013: 100%; e 2015: 100%) e intervalo (2010: 91,9%; 2013: 95,7%; e 2015: 100%), após a introdução do protocolo, e novamente após a implementação do aplicativo com orientações sobre tratamento antimicrobiano. Conclusão O uso de aplicativos móveis específicos deve ser incentivado para obter melhor qualidade e precisão nas prescrições e incluir estratégias que não apenas reduzam o risco de resultados negativos, mas que também melhorem a qualidade dos cuidados e do tratamento para manter a saúde conjunta da mãe e do bebê.

Oral desensitization to penicillin for the treatment of pregnant women with syphilis: A successful program / Dessensibilização oral à penicilina para o tratamento da sífilis na gestação: um exemplo de experiência bem-sucedida

Abstract Gestational syphilis is a prevalent disease in Brazil and other low and medium income countries. Desensitization to penicillin is recommended for pregnant women with syphilis who are allergic to β-lactams. This is a descriptive study utilizing outpatient medical records from 2011 to 2015 from a mother and child hospital that is part of the national healthcare system in the South of Brazil, which performs an average of 3,600 birth assistances per year. All cases of pregnant women with syphilis and presumptive diagnosis of β-lactam allergy during the study period were included. The patients referred for desensitization originated from the hospital prenatal care service, as well as from municipal/state antenatal care services. Oral desensitization was performed in the obstetric emergency room, and adult and pediatric intensive care units were available at all times. Ten patients underwent desensitization during the period of study. Personal history of urticaria was the most common reaction that demanded desensitization. All patients tolerated the procedure well, and showed no adverse reactions.We report a successful program of oral desensitization. None of the patients presented adverse reactions or complications, a fact that corroborates the feasibility and safety of the desensitization protocol. Oral administration of penicillin comes at a low cost, and optimizes the use of time and resources.

Resumo A sífilis gestacional é uma doença prevalente no Brasil e em outros países de baixa e média renda. A dessensibilização à penicilina é recomendada para mulheres grávidas com sífilis que são alérgicas a β-lactâmicos. Este é um estudo descritivo que utiliza registros médicos de 2011 a 2015 de um hospital público materno-fetal do Sul do Brasil com média de 3.600 partos anuais. Foram incluídos todos os casos de gestantes com sífilis e diagnóstico presuntivo de alergia a β-lactâmicos durante o período de estudo. As pacientes encaminhadas para dessensibilização originaram-se do serviço pré-natal hospitalar internamente, bem como dos serviços municipais e estaduais de atendimento pré-natal. A dessensibilização oral foi realizada na sala de emergência obstétrica, e a unidade de terapia intensiva estava disponível em todos os momentos para o atendimento de possíveis intercorrências. Dez pacientes foram submetidas à dessensibilização durante o período estudado. História pessoal de urticária foi a reação mais comum que exigiu dessensibilização à penicilina. Todas as pacientes toleraram bem o procedimento, e não mostraram reações adversas. Relatamos no presente manuscrito um programa bem-sucedido de dessensibilização oral à penicilina. Nenhuma das pacientes apresentou reações adversas ou complicações, corroborando a viabilidade e segurança do protocolo de dessensibilização. A administração oral de penicilina tem baixo custo, e otimiza o uso de tempo e recursos para o tratamento adequado de sífilis gestacional no cenário apresentado.

Oral Desensitization to Penicillin for the Treatment of Pregnant Women with Syphilis: A Successful Program.

Gestational syphilis is a prevalent disease in Brazil and other low and medium income countries. Desensitization to penicillin is recommended for pregnant women with syphilis who are allergic to ß-lactams. This is a descriptive study utilizing outpatient medical records from 2011 to 2015 from a mother and child hospital that is part of the national healthcare system in the South of Brazil, which performs an average of 3,600 birth assistances per year. All cases of pregnant women with syphilis and presumptive diagnosis of ß-lactam allergy during the study period were included. The patients referred for desensitization originated from the hospital prenatal care service, as well as from municipal/state antenatal care services. Oral desensitization was performed in the obstetric emergency room, and adult and pediatric intensive care units were available at all times. Ten patients underwent desensitization during the period of study. Personal history of urticaria was the most common reaction that demanded desensitization. All patients tolerated the procedure well, and showed no adverse reactions. We report a successful program of oral desensitization. None of the patients presented adverse reactions or complications, a fact that corroborates the feasibility and safety of the desensitization protocol. Oral administration of penicillin comes at a low cost, and optimizes the use of time and resources.

A sífilis gestacional é uma doença prevalente no Brasil e em outros países de baixa e média renda. A dessensibilização à penicilina é recomendada para mulheres grávidas com sífilis que são alérgicas a ß-lactâmicos. Este é um estudo descritivo que utiliza registros médicos de 2011 a 2015 de um hospital público materno-fetal do Sul do Brasil com média de 3.600 partos anuais. Foram incluídos todos os casos de gestantes com sífilis e diagnóstico presuntivo de alergia a ß-lactâmicos durante o período de estudo. As pacientes encaminhadas para dessensibilização originaram-se do serviço pré-natal hospitalar internamente, bem como dos serviços municipais e estaduais de atendimento pré-natal. A dessensibilização oral foi realizada na sala de emergência obstétrica, e a unidade de terapia intensiva estava disponível em todos os momentos para o atendimento de possíveis intercorrências. Dez pacientes foram submetidas à dessensibilização durante o período estudado. História pessoal de urticária foi a reação mais comum que exigiu dessensibilização à penicilina. Todas as pacientes toleraram bem o procedimento, e não mostraram reações adversas. Relatamos no presente manuscrito um programa bem-sucedido de dessensibilização oral à penicilina. Nenhuma das pacientes apresentou reações adversas ou complicações, corroborando a viabilidade e segurança do protocolo de dessensibilização. A administração oral de penicilina tem baixo custo, e otimiza o uso de tempo e recursos para o tratamento adequado de sífilis gestacional no cenário apresentado.

Ventilator-associated Pneumonia in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Due to Chryseobacterium indologenes.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia represents one of the most common nosocomial infections in neonatal intensive care units, increasing morbidity and mortality and associated costs. The authors report the case of a neonatal patient with ventilator-associated pneumonia secondary to Chryseobacterium indologenes and a review of the literature. The most effective empiric treatment for C. indologenes infection remains unclear due to limited data in the literature, and therefore, therapy should be adjusted in accordance with the result of the susceptibility profile.

Maternal syphilis and accomplishing sexual partner treatment: still a huge gap.

Congenital syphilis (CS) is a preventable epidemic disease for which control is hindered by socioeconomic and health system issues. Inadequately treated maternal syphilis (MaS) commonly has serious adverse obstetric outcomes. This study - which is a cross-sectional study in a Brazilian large urban public Mother and Child hospital, making use of secondary data - evaluated the occurrence of treatment of sexual partners (SP) among women with MaS. The results showed that 771 MaS cases were identified from 2007 to 2014. No information on SP treatment was available in 570 (73.9%) cases. Of the 201 cases presenting information, 25 (12.4%) SP were treated. Out of 164 women having six or more prenatal visits, 25 (15.2%) SP received treatment. Data analyzed biennially have shown a growing trend of cases without collected information, ranging from 27.2% in 2007-2008 to 87.5% in 2013-2014. No linear trend in proportions of treated SP (maximum 7.4% SP treated) was found. Thus, in this study, it has been concluded that the proportion of SP adequately treated was consistently low, and the quality of information deteriorated during the studied period. Prenatal care per se, as provided, was not effective in delivering adequate treatment of SP. Creative integrated services with SP active participation are greatly needed if CS is to be controlled.

Hiv and hepatitis c virus coinfection. Who is this patient today? / Coinfecção por HIV e o vírus da hepatite C. Qual o perfil deste paciente hoje?

ABSTRACT Background - The increase in the survival following the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has seen the emergence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, renal and cardiovascular diseases as important morbidity and mortality causes together with HIV. Objective - The present study aimed to investigate the differences between HIV/hepatitis C virus coinfected and HIV-monoinfected regarding demographic and clinical aspects from a HIV/AIDS clinic in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Methods - Review of medical records of 1,030 HIV infected individuals aged 18 years or more in an urban HIV/AIDS clinic based in Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil. Clinical and demographical Data were collected from the records of the patients attended between March 2008 and December 2012. Results - The present study is a cross-sectional study among HIV-infected patients attended at a public HIV/AIDS clinic in Porto Alegre, Brazil. The prevalence of hepatitis C virus in the present study cohort was 11.8% (CI 95%: 9.9%-13.8%). Hypertension and pathological proteinuria were more common in the coinfected compared to monoinfected group. By the other hand, dyslipidemia were more common among monoinfected patients. There was no difference between the groups regarding CD4+ count or HIV-RNA. Variables significant in the univariate analysis with P<0.05 were further analyzed using a Poisson regression model with robust variance. Coinfected were likely to be older, with lower lipid levels and higher prevalence of pathological proteinuria compared to HIV-monoinfected patients. Although coinfected patients had higher prevalence of tenofovir-based regimen, there was a strong association between hepatitis C virus individuals to pathological proteinuria and dyslipidemia. Conclusion - Clinicians should recognize that coinfected and monoinfected individuals are different groups regarding the traditional and HIV-related risk factors and should be managed and screened individually in order to prevent cardiovascular and renal complications.

RESUMO Contexto - O aumento da sobrevida após a introdução da terapia antirretroviral nos pacientes vivendo com HIV tem como consequência o aparecimento de doenças emergentes nestes pacientes, como a hepatite pelo vírus C, doenças renais e cardiovasculares. Objetivo - O presente estudo tem como objetivo investigar as diferenças entre monoinfectados por HIV e coinfectados por HIV/virus da hepatite C, considerando aspectos demográficos e clínicos de pacientes atendidos em uma clínica de HIV/AIDS em Porto Alegre, Brasil. Métodos - Revisão de prontuários médicos de 1.030 indivíduos vivendo com HIV em uma clínica especializada em Porto Alegre, Brasil. Dados clínicos e demográficos foram coletados a partir dos registros dos pacientes atendidos entre março de 2008 e dezembro de 2012 na referida clínica. Resultados - O presente estudo é um estudo transversal com indivíduos vivendo com HIV, atendidos em um serviço municipal de HIV/AIDS em Porto Alegre, Brasil. A prevalência de hepatite pelo vírus C na presente coorte de estudo foi 11,8% (IC 95%: 9,9%-13,8%). Hipertensão e proteinúria patológica eram ocorrências mais comuns em coinfectados do que monoinfectados. Por outro lado, dislipidemia foi mais comuns entre monoinfectados. Não houve diferença entre os grupos quanto contagem de linfócitos CD4 totais ou HIV-RNA. Variáveis significativas na análise univariada com P<0,05 foram ainda analisadas usando um modelo de regressão de Poisson com variância robusta. Coinfectados eram mais velhos, com os níveis de lipídios mais baixos e maior prevalência de proteinúria patológica em comparação com indivíduos monoinfectados. Apesar de os coinfectados apresentarem maior prevalência de estarem em uso de regime contendo tenofovir, houve uma forte associação dos indivíduos infectados pelo vírus da hepatite C com proteinúria patológica e ausência de dislipidemia. Conclusão - Clínicos devem reconhecer que coinfectados e monoinfectados pertencem a grupos diferentes quanto aos fatores de risco tradicionais e aqueles associados ao HIV, devendo estes serem manejados e rastreados de forma individual, para prevenir complicações cardiovasculares e renais.

HIV AND HEPATITIS C VIRUS COINFECTION. WHO IS THIS PATIENT TODAY?

BACKGROUND: - The increase in the survival following the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has seen the emergence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, renal and cardiovascular diseases as important morbidity and mortality causes together with HIV. OBJECTIVE: - The present study aimed to investigate the differences between HIV/hepatitis C virus coinfected and HIV-monoinfected regarding demographic and clinical aspects from a HIV/AIDS clinic in Porto Alegre, Brazil. METHODS: - Review of medical records of 1,030 HIV infected individuals aged 18 years or more in an urban HIV/AIDS clinic based in Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil. Clinical and demographical Data were collected from the records of the patients attended between March 2008 and December 2012. RESULTS: - The present study is a cross-sectional study among HIV-infected patients attended at a public HIV/AIDS clinic in Porto Alegre, Brazil. The prevalence of hepatitis C virus in the present study cohort was 11.8% (CI 95%: 9.9%-13.8%). Hypertension and pathological proteinuria were more common in the coinfected compared to monoinfected group. By the other hand, dyslipidemia were more common among monoinfected patients. There was no difference between the groups regarding CD4+ count or HIV-RNA. Variables significant in the univariate analysis with P<0.05 were further analyzed using a Poisson regression model with robust variance. Coinfected were likely to be older, with lower lipid levels and higher prevalence of pathological proteinuria compared to HIV-monoinfected patients. Although coinfected patients had higher prevalence of tenofovir-based regimen, there was a strong association between hepatitis C virus individuals to pathological proteinuria and dyslipidemia. CONCLUSION: - Clinicians should recognize that coinfected and monoinfected individuals are different groups regarding the traditional and HIV-related risk factors and should be managed and screened individually in order to prevent cardiovascular and renal complications.

Characteristics of bacterial acute diarrhea among women.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and microbiological characteristics of women presenting with acute gastroenteritis due to infection with Salmonella spp. or Shigella spp. METHODS: A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted using data for patients with specimens positive for Shigella spp. and Salmonella spp. attending two major women's hospitals in Porto Alegre, Brazil, between January 2003 and July 2014. Women were included if they had symptoms compatible with bacterial acute diarrhea. Isolates were evaluated to determine antimicrobial susceptibility and patient clinical profile. RESULTS: Among 45 eligible patients, Salmonella spp. was identified in 32 (71%) and Shigella spp. in 13 (29%). The highest antimicrobial sensitivity rates were observed for ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone (n=44, 98% for both) whereas the greatest resistance rate was seen for ampicillin (n=20, 44%). Seven (16%) of the women were pregnant. CONCLUSION: Ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim are suitable choices for the treatment of bacterial acute diarrhea. However, the maternal and fetal safety profile of prescribed medications should be considered when treating pregnant patients.