Assessment of groundwater quality in a region of endemic fluorosis in the northeast of Brazil.

The aim of this study was to estimate the risk for caries and fluorosis in a desertification area, applying the calcium/fluoride concentration ratio of underground water and the quality of water in a selected geographical region. This study was performed in the municipality of São João do Rio do Peixe, located in the tropical semiarid lands of Brazil. A total of 111 groundwater samples were collected. Fluoride concentration varied from 0.11 to 9.33 mg/L. Thirty percent of all samples analyzed showed values above 1.5 mg/L, while 64 % were above the ideal limit of 0.7 mg/L. Mean calcium concentration was 47.6 mg/L, and 14.4 % of all samples presented values above the WHO acceptable limits. The proportional value of calcium/fluoride in water showed that only 12 % of the samples were suitable for dental caries prevention with minimal risk for dental fluorosis. Mapping of the fluoride distribution indicated that approximately 2,465 people could be affected by dental fluorosis and 1,057 people might be affected by skeletal fluorosis. It can be concluded that, in addition to fluoride, many water parameters were not suitable for the drinking water. Mapping out calcium/fluoride ratio may indicate areas of water suitability for caries control, whereas the fluoride concentration solely can indicate the areas with the risk for fluorosis. This approach can be relevant for health authorities for identifying communities where dental caries or dental fluorosis is prevalent.

Shewanella putrefaciens em lesão cutânea traumática / Shewanella putrefaciens in traumatic skin lesions

Os autores descrevem o caso de um paciente do sexo masculino, pescador, de 44 anos de idade, que apresentou úlceras infecciosas na perna direita após trauma sofrido enquanto pescava. Foi isolada e identificada a espécie Shewanella putrefaciens, em associação com Staphylococcus aureus e Escherichia coli em cultivo da secreção da ferida. A identificação dos isolados foi feita por meio de procedimento microbiológico padrão e sistema comercial (NF e Vitek GNI). O teste de sensibilidade mostrou sensibilidade da bactéria à maioria dos antibióticos testados.

The authors describe the case of a 44-year old fisherman who presented with infectious ulcers on his right leg after suffering a trauma while fishing. The species Shewanella putrefaciens, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were isolated and identified from a culture of the wound secretion. The isolates were identified by standard microbiological procedures and commercial identification systems (NF and Vitek GNI). Shewanella putrefaciens was sensitive to the majority of antibiotics tested.