Laboratory-based study of drug resistance and genotypic profile of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis isolates in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Surveillance of multidrug resistant/extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/XDR-TB) is essential to guide disease dissemination control measures. Brazil contributes to a significant fraction of tuberculosis (TB) cases worldwide, but only few reports addressed MDR/XDR-TB in the country. METHODS: This cross-sectional, laboratory-based study describes the phenotypic resistance profiles of isolates obtained between January 2008 and December 2011 in Bahia, Brazil, and sociodemographic, epidemiological, and clinical characteristics (obtained from mandatory national registries) of the corresponding 204 MDR/XDR-TB patients. We analyzed the mycobacterial spoligotyping and variable number of tandem repeats of mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units in 12-loci profiles obtained from Salvador. RESULTS: MDR/XDR-TB patients were predominantly male, had a median age of 43 years, belonged to black ethnicity, and failed treatment before MDR-TB diagnosis. Nearly one-third of the isolates had phenotypic resistance (evaluated by mycobacteria growth indicator tube assay) to second-line anti-TB drugs (64/204, 31%), of which 22% cases (14/64) were diagnosed as XDR-TB. Death was a frequent outcome among these individuals and was associated with resistance to second-line anti-TB drugs. Most isolates successfully genotyped belonged to the Latin-American Mediterranean (LAM) Family, with an unprecedented high proportion of LAM10-Cameroon subfamily bacilli. More than half of these isolates were assigned to a unique cluster by the genotyping methods performed. Large clusters of identical genotypes were also observed among LAM SIT42 and SIT376 strains. CONCLUSIONS: We highlight the need for strengthening local and national efforts to perform early detection of TB drug resistance and to prevent treatment discontinuation to limit the emergence of drug-resistant strains.

Laboratory-based study of drug resistance and genotypic profile of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis isolates in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil

Abstract Background: Surveillance of multidrug resistant/extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/XDR-TB) is essential to guide disease dissemination control measures. Brazil contributes to a significant fraction of tuberculosis (TB) cases worldwide, but only few reports addressed MDR/XDR-TB in the country. Methods: This cross-sectional, laboratory-based study describes the phenotypic resistance profiles of isolates obtained between January 2008 and December 2011 in Bahia, Brazil, and sociodemographic, epidemiological, and clinical characteristics (obtained from mandatory national registries) of the corresponding 204 MDR/XDR-TB patients. We analyzed the mycobacterial spoligotyping and variable number of tandem repeats of mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units in 12-loci profiles obtained from Salvador. Results: MDR/XDR-TB patients were predominantly male, had a median age of 43 years, belonged to black ethnicity, and failed treatment before MDR-TB diagnosis. Nearly one-third of the isolates had phenotypic resistance (evaluated by mycobacteria growth indicator tube assay) to second-line anti-TB drugs (64/204, 31%), of which 22% cases (14/64) were diagnosed as XDR-TB. Death was a frequent outcome among these individuals and was associated with resistance to second-line anti-TB drugs. Most isolates successfully genotyped belonged to the Latin-American Mediterranean (LAM) Family, with an unprecedented high proportion of LAM10-Cameroon subfamily bacilli. More than half of these isolates were assigned to a unique cluster by the genotyping methods performed. Large clusters of identical genotypes were also observed among LAM SIT42 and SIT376 strains. Conclusions: We highlight the need for strengthening local and national efforts to perform early detection of TB drug resistance and to prevent treatment discontinuation to limit the emergence of drug-resistant strains.

Common mental disorders associated with tuberculosis: a matched case-control study.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the availability of treatment and a vaccine, tuberculosis continues to be a public health problem worldwide. Mental disorders might contribute to the burden of the disease. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the association between common mental disorders and tuberculosis. METHODS: A matched case-control study was conducted. The study population included symptomatic respiratory patients who attended three referral hospitals and six community clinics in the city of Salvador, Brazil. A doctor's diagnosis defined potential cases and controls. Cases were newly diagnosed tuberculosis cases, and controls were symptomatic respiratory patients for whom tuberculosis was excluded as a diagnosis by the attending physician. Cases and controls were ascertained in the same clinic. Data collection occurred between August 2008 and April 2010. The study instruments included a structured interview, a self-reporting questionnaire for the identification of common mental disorders, and a questionnaire for alcoholism. An univariate analysis included descriptive procedures (with chi-square statistics), and a multivariate analysis used conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: The mean age of the cases was 38 years, and 61% of the cases were males. After adjusting for potential confounders, the odds of tuberculosis were significantly higher in patients diagnosed with a common mental disorder (OR: 1.34; 95% CI 1.05-1.70). CONCLUSION: There appears to be a positive and independent association between common mental disorders and tuberculosis; further epidemiological studies are required to increase our understanding of the possible biological and social mechanisms responsible for this association. Independent of the direction of the association, this finding has implications for the provision of care for mental disorders and for tuberculosis.

Non-compliance with health surveillance is a matter of Biosafety: a survey of latent tuberculosis infection in a highly endemic setting.

Objective This study aimed at identifying demographic, socio-economic and tuberculosis (TB) exposure factors associated with non-compliance with the tuberculin skin test, the management and prevention of non-compliance to the test. It was carried out in the context of a survey of latent TB infection among undergraduate students taking healthcare courses in two universities in Salvador, Brazil, a city highly endemic for TB. Methods This is a cross-sectional study of 1164 volunteers carried out between October 2004 and June 2008. Bivariate analysis followed by logistic regression was used to measure the association between non-compliance and potential risk factors through non-biased estimates of the adjusted OR for confounding variables. A parallel evaluation of occupational risk perception and of knowledge of Biosafety measures was also conducted. Results The non-compliance rate was above 40% even among individuals potentially at higher risk of disease, which included those who had not been vaccinated (OR 3.33; 95% CI 1.50 to 7.93; p=0.0018), those reporting having had contact with TB patients among close relatives or household contacts (p=0.3673), or those whose tuberculin skin test status was shown within the survey to have recently converted (17.3% of those completing the study). In spite of the observed homogeneity in the degree of Biosafety knowledge, and the awareness campaigns developed within the study focussing on TB prevention, the analysis has shown that different groups have different behaviours in relation to the test. Family income was found to have opposite effects in groups studying different courses as well as attending public versus private universities. Conclusions Although the data presented may not be directly generalisable to other situations and cultural settings, this study highlights the need to evaluate factors associated with non-compliance with routine testing, as they may affect the efficacy of Biosafety programs.

Characteristics of healthcare services associated with adherence to tuberculosis treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze characteristics related to adherence to tuberculosis treatment in tuberculosis outpatient clinics. METHODS: An ecological study was conducted in outpatient clinics for the treatment of tuberculosis cases in the sanitary districts of Salvador, Northeastern Brazil, in 2006. The sample was composed of the municipal health units that assisted 67.2% of the 2,283 tuberculosis cases that were reported during the year. The following variables were analyzed: cure, dropout, tests, health team and benefits offered to the patients. Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was used to verify the association between variables, and associations with p<0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: Of the studied cases, 78.4% resulted in cure, 8.6% in dropout, 2.2% in death and 8.1% in transference. Adherence rates per health unit varied between 66.7% and 98.1%. The variables cure and dropout showed a statistically significant association with adherence in the comparison of proportions. All the units with high adherence rates had complete health teams. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence was an important factor for the outcomes cure and dropout, but the index of units that achieved the cure goals was low. The presence of a complete multidisciplinary team in the tuberculosis program may help the patient understand his/her illness and contribute to adherence to treatment.

Prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea in children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia (SCA); to investigate the possible correlation between mean annual hemoglobin level and total sleep time with SpO2 < 90%, as well as between mean annual hemoglobin level and total sleep time with SpO2 < 80%; and to investigate the possible correlation between apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and painful crisis. METHODS: The study involved 85 patients with SCA. The patients completed a questionnaire, were submitted to polysomnography and underwent clinical evaluation (by a pediatrician and an otolaryngologist). An AHI > 1 was considered indicative of a diagnosis of OSAS. RESULTS: The prevalence of OSAS was 10.6%. We found a negative correlation between mean annual hemoglobin level and total sleep time with SpO2 < 90% (r = micro0.343; p = 0.002), as well as between mean annual hemoglobin level and total sleep time with SpO2 < 80% (r = micro0.270; p = 0.016). There was no association between AHI and painful crisis. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of OSAS in this population was high (10.6%). Therefore, it is important to identify signs of OSAS as soon as possible and to determine the mean annual hemoglobin level because of the inverse correlation between that level and the total sleep time with SpO2 < 90% or < 80%.

Características dos serviços de saúde associadas à adesão ao tratamento da tuberculose / Characteristics of healthcare services associated with adherence to tuberculosis treatment

OBJETIVO: Analisar características relacionadas à adesão ao tratamento dos casos de tuberculose em serviços de referência para tuberculose. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo ecológico nas unidades de referência no tratamento dos casos de tuberculose dos distritos sanitários de Salvador, BA, em 2006. A amostra foi composta pelas unidades de saúde municipais que atenderam 67,2 por cento dos 2.283 casos notificados de tuberculose no ano. Foram analisadas as variáveis: cura, abandono, exames realizados, equipe de saúde e benefícios aos pacientes. Para verificar associação entre as variáveis, foi utilizado o teste qui-quadrado ou exato de Fisher, sendo consideradas estatisticamente significantes as associações com p<0,05. RESULTADOS: Dos casos estudados, 78,4 por cento resultaram em cura, 8,6 por cento em abandono, 2,2 por cento em óbito e 8,1 por cento em transferência. As taxas de adesão por unidade de saúde apresentaram variabilidade entre 66,7 por cento a 98,1 por cento. As variáveis cura e abandono mostraram associação estatisticamente significante com a adesão na comparação de proporções. Todas as unidades com alta adesão possuíam equipe de saúde completa. CONCLUSÕES: A adesão foi fator importante para o desfecho cura e abandono, mas foi baixo o índice de unidades que alcançaram as metas de cura. A presença de equipe multidisciplinar completa no programa de tuberculose pode contribuir para a compreensão pelo paciente sobre a sua enfermidade e a adesão ao tratamento para a cura.(AU)

Características dos serviços de saúde associadas à adesão ao tratamento da tuberculose / Characteristics of healthcare services associated with adherence to tuberculosis treatment

OBJETIVO: Analisar características relacionadas à adesão ao tratamento dos casos de tuberculose em serviços de referência para tuberculose. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo ecológico nas unidades de referência no tratamento dos casos de tuberculose dos distritos sanitários de Salvador, BA, em 2006. A amostra foi composta pelas unidades de saúde municipais que atenderam 67,2 por cento dos 2.283 casos notificados de tuberculose no ano. Foram analisadas as variáveis: cura, abandono, exames realizados, equipe de saúde e benefícios aos pacientes. Para verificar associação entre as variáveis, foi utilizado o teste qui-quadrado ou exato de Fisher, sendo consideradas estatisticamente significantes as associações com p<0,05. RESULTADOS: Dos casos estudados, 78,4 por cento resultaram em cura, 8,6 por cento em abandono, 2,2 por cento em óbito e 8,1 por cento em transferência. As taxas de adesão por unidade de saúde apresentaram variabilidade entre 66,7 por cento a 98,1 por cento. As variáveis cura e abandono mostraram associação estatisticamente significante com a adesão na comparação de proporções. Todas as unidades com alta adesão possuíam equipe de saúde completa. CONCLUSÕES: A adesão foi fator importante para o desfecho cura e abandono, mas foi baixo o índice de unidades que alcançaram as metas de cura. A presença de equipe multidisciplinar completa no programa de tuberculose pode contribuir para a compreensão pelo paciente sobre a sua enfermidade e a adesão ao tratamento para a cura.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze characteristics related to adherence to tuberculosis treatment in tuberculosis outpatient clinics. METHODS: An ecological study was conducted in outpatient clinics for the treatment of tuberculosis cases in the sanitary districts of Salvador, Northeastern Brazil, in 2006. The sample was composed of the municipal health units that assisted 67.2 percent of the 2,283 tuberculosis cases that were reported during the year. The following variables were analyzed: cure, dropout, tests, health team and benefits offered to the patients. Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was used to verify the association between variables, and associations with p<0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: Of the studied cases, 78.4 percent resulted in cure, 8.6 percent in dropout, 2.2 percent in death and 8.1 percent in transference. Adherence rates per health unit varied between 66.7 percent and 98.1 percent. The variables cure and dropout showed a statistically significant association with adherence in the comparison of proportions. All the units with high adherence rates had complete health teams. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence was an important factor for the outcomes cure and dropout, but the index of units that achieved the cure goals was low. The presence of a complete multidisciplinary team in the tuberculosis program may help the patient understand his/her illness and contribute to adherence to treatment.

Prevalência da apneia obstrutiva do sono em crianças e adolescentes portadores da anemia falciforme / Prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea in children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia

OBJETIVO: Estimar a prevalência da síndrome da apneia obstrutiva do sono (SAOS) em crianças e adolescentes com anemia falciforme (AF) e investigar a possível correlação entre hemoglobina anual média e tempo total de sono com SpO2 < 90 por cento e tempo total de sono com SpO2 < 80 por cento, assim como investigar a possível correlação entre o índice de apneia-hipopneia (IAH) e episódios de crise álgica. MÉTODOS: Participaram 85 pacientes com AF, que responderam a um questionário, foram avaliados por um pediatra e um otorrinolaringologista, e submetidos a estudo polissonográfico. O diagnóstico de SAOS foi definido como IAH > 1. RESULTADOS: A prevalência da SAOS foi 10,6 por cento. Observou-se uma correlação negativa entre hemoglobina anual média e tempo total de sono com SpO2 < 90 por cento (r = µ0,343; p = 0,002) e tempo total de sono com SpO2 < 80 por cento (r = µ0,270; p = 0,016). Não foi observada associação entre IAH e episódios de crise álgica. CONCLUSÕES: A prevalência da SAOS nesta população foi alta (10,6 por cento). Portanto, é importante identificar precocemente os sinais de SAOS e avaliar hemoglobina anual média, devido à correlação inversa entre essa e o tempo total de sono com SpO2 < 90 por cento ou < 80 por cento.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia (SCA); to investigate the possible correlation between mean annual hemoglobin level and total sleep time with SpO2 < 90 percent, as well as between mean annual hemoglobin level and total sleep time with SpO2 < 80 percent; and to investigate the possible correlation between apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and painful crisis. METHODS: The study involved 85 patients with SCA. The patients completed a questionnaire, were submitted to polysomnography and underwent clinical evaluation (by a pediatrician and an otolaryngologist). An AHI > 1 was considered indicative of a diagnosis of OSAS. RESULTS: The prevalence of OSAS was 10.6 percent. We found a negative correlation between mean annual hemoglobin level and total sleep time with SpO2 < 90 percent (r = µ0.343; p = 0.002), as well as between mean annual hemoglobin level and total sleep time with SpO2 < 80 percent (r = µ0.270; p = 0.016). There was no association between AHI and painful crisis. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of OSAS in this population was high (10.6 percent). Therefore, it is important to identify signs of OSAS as soon as possible and to determine the mean annual hemoglobin level because of the inverse correlation between that level and the total sleep time with SpO2 < 90 percent or < 80 percent.

Teratoma cístico benigno do mediastino: relato de um caso / Benign cystic teratoma of the mediastinum: case report

O trabalho mostra um caso de teratoma cístico benigno do mediastino, em uma paciente de 34 anos apresentando dispnéia há três meses e sendo tratada como derrame pleural à esquerda por suspeita radiológica. Toracocentese e posterior drenagem em selo d'água näo determinaram grande melhora do quadro. Novos estudos radiológicos e tomográficos (tomografia computadorizada) sugeriram presença de tumoraçäo cística do mediastino comprometendo o hemitórax esquerdo. Foi feita cirurgia, com retirada de volumosa massa tumoral cística do mediastino anterior, que crescia para a cavidade torácica esquerda. O diagnóstico final, ao estudo anatomopatológico, foi de "teratoma cístico benigno do meidastino". É chamada a atençäo para o diagnóstico diferencial deste caso com derrame pleural septado, que foi o diagnóstico inicial da paciente