Usefulness of minimally invasive autopsy in the diagnosis of arboviruses to increase the sensitivity of the Epidemiological Surveillance System in Ceará, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To create a protocol for performing minimally invasive autopsies (MIA) in detecting deaths from arboviruses and report preliminary data from its application in Ceará state, Brazil. METHODS: Training was provided to medical pathologists on MIA. RESULTS: A protocol was established for performing MIA, defining criteria for sample collection, storage methods, and diagnoses to be carried out according to the type of biological sample; 43 MIAs were performed in three months. Of these, 21 (48.8%) arrived at the Death Verification Service (SVO) with arboviruses as a diagnostic hypothesis, and seven (16.3%) were confirmed (six chikungunya cases and one dengue case); cases of COVID-19 (n = 9), tuberculosis (n = 5), meningitis (n = 4), cryptococcosis (n = 1), Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (n = 1), breast cancer (n = 1), and human rabies (n = 1) were also confirmed. CONCLUSION: The protocol implemented enabled identification of a larger number of suspected arbovirus-related deaths, as well as confirmation of other diseases of interest for surveillance. MAIN RESULTS: A protocol was developed to perform minimally invasive autopsies (MIAs) in Death Verification Services (SVO), capable of expanding the system's capacity to identify a greater number of deaths suspected to be due to arboviruses. IMPLICATIONS FOR SERVICES: The experience suggests that in-service trained health professionals are able to perform MIA, and that use of this technique in SVOs has been shown to be capable of increasing the system's sensitivity in detecting deaths of interest to public health. PERSPECTIVES: Trained professionals will be able to collect biological material in hospitals, through MIA, in cases of interest for health surveillance and when family members do not allow a complete conventional autopsy to be performed.

Usefulness of minimally invasive autopsy in the diagnosis of arboviruses to increase the sensitivity of the Epidemiological Surveillance System in Ceará, Brazil / Utilidad de la autopsia mínimamente invasiva en el diagnóstico de arbovirus para aumentar la sensibilidad del Sistema de Vigilancia Epidemiológica en Brasil: experiencia de Ceará, Brasil / Utilidade da autópsia minimamente invasiva no diagnóstico das arboviroses para ampliação da sensibilidade do Sistema de Vigilância Epidemiológica no Brasil: experiência do Ceará

Abstract Objective: To create a protocol for performing minimally invasive autopsies (MIA) in detecting deaths from arboviruses and report preliminary data from its application in Ceará state, Brazil. Methods: Training was provided to medical pathologists on MIA. Results: A protocol was established for performing MIA, defining criteria for sample collection, storage methods, and diagnoses to be carried out according to the type of biological sample; 43 MIAs were performed in three months. Of these, 21 (48.8%) arrived at the Death Verification Service (SVO) with arboviruses as a diagnostic hypothesis, and seven (16.3%) were confirmed (six chikungunya cases and one dengue case); cases of COVID-19 (n = 9), tuberculosis (n = 5), meningitis (n = 4), cryptococcosis (n = 1), Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (n = 1), breast cancer (n = 1), and human rabies (n = 1) were also confirmed. Conclusion: The protocol implemented enabled identification of a larger number of suspected arbovirus-related deaths, as well as confirmation of other diseases of interest for surveillance.

Resumen Objetivo: Estabelecer un protocolo utilizado para la realización de autopsias mínimamente invasivas (AMI) para la detección de muertes por arbovirus y presentar datos preliminares de este protocolo en Ceará, Brasil. Métodos: Se llevó a cabo la capacitación de médicos patólogos en AMI. Resultados: Se estableció un protocolo para la realización de AMI, que define los criterios para la toma de muestras, métodos de almacenamiento y diagnóstico; en tres meses se realizaron 43 AMI; de estas, 21 (48,8%) llegaron al Servicio de Verificación de Óbito (SVO) con una hipótesis diagnóstica de alguna arbovirosis y siete (16,3%) fueron confirmadas (seis casos de chikungunya y uno de dengue); también se confirmaron casos de Covid-19 (n = 9), tuberculosis (n = 5), meningitis (n = 4), criptococosis (n = 1), enfermedad de Creutzfeldt-Jakob (n = 1), neoplasia de mama (n = 1) y rabia humana (n = 1). Conclusión: El protocolo implementado permitió la identificación de un mayor número de muertes sospechosas de arbovirus, además de la confirmación de otras patologías de interés.

Resumo Objetivo: Estabelecer protocolo para realização de autópsias minimamente invasivas (AMIs) na detecção de óbitos por arboviroses e relatar dados preliminares desse protocolo no Ceará, Brasil. Métodos: Médicos patologistas foram treinados em AMI. Resultados: Estabeleceu-se protocolo para AMI, definindo-se critérios para amostras a serem coletadas, suas formas de armazenamento e diagnóstico, segundo o tipo de amostra biológica; em três meses, foram realizadas 43 AMIs, das quais 21 (48,8%) chegaram ao Serviço de Verificação de Óbito (SVO) com hipótese diagnóstica de alguma arbovirose e sete (16,3%) foram confirmados (seis de chikungunya; uma de dengue); também foram confirmados casos de covid-19 (n = 9), tuberculose (n = 5), meningite (n = 4), criptococose (n = 1), doença de Creutzfeldt-Jakob (n = 1), neoplasia de mama (n = 1) e raiva humana (n = 1). Conclusão: O protocolo implantado permitiu a captação de um maior número de óbitos suspeitos de arboviroses, além da confirmação de outras patologias de interesse da vigilância.

Estudos sobre a formação em pesquisa na educação médica: um estado da questão / Studies on research training in medical education: a state of the question

Resumo: Introdução: É notória a crescente importância dada à formação em pesquisa na educação médica por todo o mundo, o que é refletido na crescente produção científica com essa temática. Nesse cenário, o estado da questão (EQ) surge como uma ferramenta de produção bibliográfica que promove um panorama das pesquisas produzidas sobre um determinado tema, sendo capaz de proporcionar uma maior aproximação ao objeto de pesquisa e uma estimativa dos avanços que a pesquisa naquele campo pode alcançar. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivos identificar as investigações feitas sobre a formação em pesquisa na educação médica e classificá-las considerando o local, o tipo e as intencionalidades delas. Método: Trata-se de um EQ cujo objeto de estudo é a formação em pesquisa na educação médica. Utilizaram-se descritores relacionados à formação em pesquisa e à educação médica nos idiomas português, espanhol e inglês. Foram pesquisadas duas bases de dados para dissertações e teses nacionais (Biblioteca Digital de Teses e Dissertações e Catálogos de Teses e Dissertações da Capes) e duas bases de dados para periódicos científicos internacionais (Portal de Periódicos da Capes e PubMed). Resultado: Identificaram-se 33 artigos científicos de 17 países de cinco continentes. Quatro trabalhos (12%) apresentavam-se como artigos de opinião em que os autores teorizavam sobre a importância da inserção de elementos da pesquisa nos níveis curricular e disciplinar. Sete artigos (21%) retrataram, por meio de relatos de casos, as modificações estruturais e os percursos traçados em suas instituições, assim como as implicações dessas ações na educação médica e no processo educativo. Os demais 22 artigos (67%) documentavam pesquisas empíricas com diversas intencionalidades, sendo a temática mais recorrente a identificação dos fatores que influenciam a busca do corpo discente pela participação em pesquisa. Conclusão: A formação em pesquisa na educação médica conta com um corpo de pesquisadores qualificados e periódicos especializados para sua veiculação em nível global. Ressaltamos que, a partir das buscas realizadas, não foram encontrados estudos no contexto de teses e dissertações, tornando este um campo aberto para pesquisadores aprofundarem e acumularem conhecimento.

Abstract: Introduction: The growing importance given to research training in medical education globally is notorious and reflects the growing scientific production on this topic. In this scenario, the state of the question (EQ) emerges as a bibliographic production tool that promotes an overview of the re-search produced on a given topic, being able to provide a closer approach to the research object and to estimate the possible advances that research in that field can reach. Objective: This study aimed to identify what has been studied about research training in medical education and classify them considering the location, type, and intentions of the research. Method: This is a EQ whose object of study is research training in medical education. Descriptors related to research training and medical education in Portuguese, Spanish, and English were used. Two databases for national dissertations and theses (Biblioteca Digital de Teses e Dissertações and Catálogos de Teses e Dissertações da Capes) and two databases for international scientific journals (Portal de Periódicos da Capes and PubMed) were searched. Result: We identified 33 scientific articles from 18 countries on all continents. Four articles (12%) were presented as opinion articles where the authors theorized about the importance of inserting research elements at the curricular and disciplinary level. Seven articles (21%) portrayed, through case reports, the structural changes and the paths traced in their institutions, as well as the implications of these actions in medical education and the educational process. The remaining 22 articles (67%) documented empirical research with different intentions, with the most recurrent theme being the identification of factors that influence the student body's search for participation in research. Conclusion: Research training in medical education has a body of qualified researchers and spe-cialized periodicals for its dissemination on a global level. We emphasize that no studies were found in the context of theses and dissertations, making this an open field for researchers to deepen and accumulate knowledge.

COVID-19 Home Deaths without Medical Assistance in Northeastern Brazil.

Since its beginning in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, the disease caused by COVID-19 has reached more than 27 million confirmed cases and more than 880 thousand deaths worldwide by early September 2020. Although it is known that some of these deaths may have been influenced by the overload of health systems, the world medical literature lacks data on deaths due to COVID-19 in patients who have not received medical assistance. We conducted a retrospective transversal study to report the clinical and epidemiological profile of the first 200 consecutive cases of home deaths without medical assistance caused by COVID-19 diagnosed by verbal autopsy and real-time PCR in samples of postmortem nasopharyngeal swabs, in the state of Ceara, in Northeastern Brazil. The data show a slightly increased prevalence of cases in males (57%) and an average age of 76.8 years. Previous comorbidities were reported in 85.5% of cases, the most common being cardiovascular disease (45%), neurological disease (30%), and diabetes (29%). The main symptoms reported were dyspnea (79%), fever (75.5%), cough (69%), and fatigue (42.5%). The average time between the onset of illness and death was 7.3 days, being statistically shorter in patients who had previous comorbidities (P = 0.0215). This is the first study to evidence the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 home deaths without medical assistance, which may represent a considerable portion of the pandemic burden, especially in the context of health system overload.

Ossifying fibroma: an uncommon differential diagnosis for T2-hypointense sinonasal masses.

Ossifying fibroma is a benign fibro-osseous lesion that occurs most commonly in the mandible of female patients. In rare cases, it affects the nasal cavity. The magnetic resonance imaging features may vary depending on the amount of fibrous and bony tissue in its composition. In these tumors, T2-hypointensity is a feature described in the peripheral ossified areas of the lesion, but it may present diffusely, especially when the degree of ossification is extensive. In this scenario, this particular characteristic on T2-weighted imaging is superimposable to the commonly described appearance of other lesions, such as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, melanoma, and other sinonasal neoplasms with high cellularity and high nucleocytoplasmic ratio. In the present study, we report a case of ossifying fibroma of the nasal cavity that presented as a diffusely and homogeneously T2-hypointense mass, a finding that may cause difficulty in the differential diagnosis with other expansive sinonasal lesions.

"Bread and butter" fibrinous pericarditis

Pericarditis is the inflammatory process involving the pericardium as a result of a systemic disease or a primary pericardium disorder.1 The actual incidence of pericarditis is difficult to ascertain,2 most probably because of under-reported or misdiagnosed cases. In the 19th century, Sir William Osler stated that pericarditis was one of the most serious diseases overlooked by practitioners.3 Even so, the rate of hospitalization by this diagnosis is estimated in 3.32 cases per 100,000 person-years, which corresponds to 0.2% of all causes of hospitalization in cardiology centers,4 with an incidence of 1.06% found in autopsy case series.5 Didactically, pericarditis can be morphologically classified in five types: (i) fibrinous; (ii) serous; (iii) purulent; (iv) hemorrhagic; or (v) caseous.6 The image presented herein refers to a typical fibrinous pericarditis, also known as "bread and butter" pericarditis.7 In such an entity, the pericardium, which is regularly smooth and bright, becomes opaque and granular, and macroscopically resembles two pieces of buttered bread pressed together then pulled apart. The histology shows the deposition of fibrin and leukocytic exudate involving the pericardial leaflets.8 Antonio Benivieni (1443-1502), a Florentine physician and a contemporary of Leonardo da Vinci, was assigned the first description of fibrinous pericarditis. However, René Laennec (1781-1826), also known for creating the stethoscope, was the first to register the analogy of this type of pericarditis with "buttered bread"9 in his book, A Treatise on the Diseases of the Chest and on Mediate Auscultation.10 The image presented in Figure 1 was obtained during the autopsy of a 25-year-old man who presented a 5-day history of high-grade fever, odynophagia, chest pain, and bloody sputum. He was hospitalized presenting marked leukocytosis with blasts in the peripheral blood smear and died 14 days later due to multiple organ failure. The autopsy revealed fibrinous pericarditis with a brighter yellow exudate than usual (probably due to hyperbilirubinemia, with direct and indirect bilirubin levels of 4.61 mg/dL and 2.07 mg/dL, respectively), lungs with "beefy red consolidation" due to alveolar edema, hemorrhage, hyaline membrane, and diffuse neutrophilic infiltrate. The patient's bone marrow was hypercellular at the expense of immature myeloid cells with areas of necrosis. The immunohistochemical study evidenced diffuse positivity for myeloperoxidase; CD117-positivity for 30% of the viable cells; CD34-positivity for 1% of the viable cells; and negativity for the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase­all of which were consistent with the diagnosis of M3 acute myeloid leukemia (French-American-British classification).11 Acute myocardial infarction, trauma/surgery, infection, uremia, systemic diseases, and neoplasia are among the most common causes of fibrinous pericarditis. Among the neoplasia, lung and breast malignancies stand out, followed by lymphomas and leukemia,12 although pericardial infiltration by nonlymphocytic leukemia is rarer.13 In a large case series of 420 postmortem examinations of the heart in acute leukemia,14 only 20 patients had symptoms of heart disease in life, and 9 of them had pericarditis at autopsy. In only 2 of the 9 patients, the pericarditis was the result of leukemic cell infiltrates into the pericardium; in 4 patients it was hemorrhagic; and in 2 it was pyogenic. Only 1 case remained with uncertain etiology, being fibrinous and unassociated with pericardial leukemic infiltrates, hemorrhages, or organisms, which also occurred in our case. The histopathologic study of the pericardium failed to reveal neoplastic cells, microorganisms, and viral inclusion; therefore, the precise etiology of the pericardial disease was not disclosed.