Cristine S. Rosario

Allergic rhinitis in preschool children from southern Brazil

There are few published studies on prevalence of allergic rhinitis in preschool children. The aims of this study were to verify the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR) symptoms in the first year of life adding supplementary questions to the EISL instrument. A cross‐sectional study used Phase III EISL written questionnaire in addition to modified allergic rhinitis ISAAC questions. One thousand and three parents of infants answered the questionnaire: 484 (48.3%) had at least one sneezing, or a runny or blocked nose episodes without cold or flu in the first year of life. A quarter of infants had recurrent wheezing (≥3 episodes) and more frequent in the presence of AR symptoms. Physician diagnosis of AR and the use of intranasal steroids and both antihistamines and intranasal steroids were more common among those infants with AR symptoms. The prevalence of AR symptoms was high and starting early in life.

Piercings in medical students and their effects on the skin

BACKGROUND Piercings are body embellishments commonly seen in young people, however their inherent risk of infection and scarring disorders are less divulged. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the prevalence of body piercings among medical students and their possible dermatologic consequences. METHODS Cross-sectional study with 58 medical students, by means of a structured questionnaire covering socio-demographic characteristics, technical issues related to the piercing and characteristics of the dermatologic complications. RESULTS The sample was predominantly female (86.2%), with mean age 24 ± 3 years. The placement of the first piercing occurred during adolescence (median age 15), without medical supervision (91.4%) or knowledge of parents/guardians (74%). Most piercings were made of metal alloy/stainless steel, in a dumbbell model (51.7%), inserted in the umbilical area (53.5%) or ear (41.4%), with frequent cutaneous reactions in the first six months post-piercing. Hypertrophic scarring, pain, swelling and infection (p<0.05) had significantly higher frequencies among those with navel piercings. CONCLUSION Piercing insertion occurred during adolescence. Local inflammatory and infectious reactions were common. Scarring disorders and dermatitis appeared in the long term. There is need for preventive and educational activities, starting with those in the academic environment.

Molecular characterization and clinical epidemiology of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) A and B in hospitalized children, Southern Brazil

Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is a major etiologic agent of pediatric respiratory infections. Genetic variability of its glycoprotein G enables HRSV to evade the immune response and determines its seasonal dissemination. This study reports genetic variability and clinical profiles of HRSV‐infected patients from Southern Brazil. Seventy positive samples, 78% type A and 22% type B, were analyzed. Of the patients (median age, 6 months; interquartile range, 2‐11 years), 16% had co‐morbidities and 17% developed severe disease. The ON1 HRSV genotype first appeared in 2012, and patients infected with this genotype showed an increased tendency to develop severe disease.

Laryngeal edema is common in HAE and demands preventive measures

Results Forty two patients, male (45%), age mean 27.1±16.9 years. Symptoms started at median age 14 years (range 1 to 58ys.). Thirty seven (86%) had familial history of HAE. They had a median of 2 episodes/mo (range 0.2 to 30) lasting 3±1.7 days/episode. Edema of limbs, face, genital and laryngeal, abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting were seen in 73.8%, 52.4%, 23.8%, 17%, 81%, 24% and 38.1%, respectively. Twenty four (57%) had low C4 level, mean serum level of C4=12.7±10.6 mg/dL; 26 (62%) had low levels of C1 esterase inhibitor, 4 (9.5%) had low functional C1 esterase inhibitor and 12 (28.6%) had C1q deficiency and 3 (7.1%) had HAE type III confirmed. Fifteen (28.9%) were treated with Danazol 175±134 mg/day, 15 (28.9%) were using tranexamic acid as needed. No patient had Icatibant access.