Isabelle Ribeiro Barbosa

Toxoplasmosis screening and risk factors amongst pregnant females in Natal, northeastern Brazil.

Toxoplasmosis results in systemic disease, and if the mother is infected for the first time during gestation, the fetus may suffer substantial damage. Relatively little is known about the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis in pregnancy in most states of northeastern Brazil. Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among pregnant woman was studied in Natal, capital of Rio Grande do Norte State, in northeastern Brazil, from March to December 2007. The sera were tested for IgM and avidity of IgG antibodies to Toxoplasma by a microparticle enzyme immunoassay. The overall seroprevalence was high [126/190 (66.3%)]; prevalence increased with age indicating that in this setting most infections occur in adulthood (third decade of life). Only one pregnant woman was IgM positive and had high-avidity antibodies. The high percentage of pregnant women who are vulnerable to this parasite (33.1%) favors primary infection during pregnancy. Our studies show that direct contact with cats or dogs was highly associated with toxoplasmosis (odds ratio 2.72, P<0.001, 95% CI 1.46-5.02). The number of years in school (P<0.001), precarious socioeconomic status and limited knowledge about the disease (P<or=0.05 for both) were also associated with toxoplasmosis infection. The pattern of risk factors for infection corroborate other studies in Brazil.

Cancer mortality in Brazil: Temporal Trends and Predictions for the Year 2030

AbstractCancer is currently in the spotlight due to their heavy responsibility as main cause of death in both developed and developing countries. Analysis of the epidemiological situation is required as a support tool for the planning of public health measures for the most vulnerable groups. We analyzed cancer mortality trends in Brazil and geographic regions in the period 1996 to 2010 and calculate mortality predictions for the period 2011 to 2030.This is an epidemiological, demographic-based study that utilized information from the Mortality Information System on all deaths due to cancer in Brazil. Mortality trends were analyzed by the Joinpoint regression, and Nordpred was utilized for the calculation of predictions.Stability was verified for the female (annual percentage change [APC] = 0.4%) and male (APC = 0.5%) sexes. The North and Northeast regions present significant increasing trends for mortality in both sexes. Until 2030, female mortality trends will not present considerable variations, but there will be a decrease in mortality trends for the male sex. There will be increases in mortality rates until 2030 for the North and Northeast regions, whereas reductions will be verified for the remaining geographic regions. This variation will be explained by the demographic structure of regions until 2030.There are pronounced regional and sex differences in cancer mortality in Brazil, and these discrepancies will continue to increase until the year 2030, when the Northeast region will present the highest cancer mortality rates in Brazil.

Clinical and epidemiological aspects of visceral leishmaniasis in children up to 15 years of age in Rio Grande do Norte state, Brazil [Abstract in English]

AIMS: To describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of children and adolescents with visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in the state of Rio Grande do Norte (RN), Brazil. METHODS: A descriptive study of individuals 0-15 years with a diagnosis of autochthonous cases of VL. We analyzed the information for the period from January 2007 to December 2011, contained in the Information System Diseases Notifications. RESULTS: We identified 291 children and adolescents with LV, 50.8% were male and the age group with the highest incidence of the disease was less than 5 years (72.5% of cases). It was found that 16.1% of these children lived in Natal and 40.9% were from 04 counties RN; 70.4% were from the urban area, 58.4% were brown and 2.7% were co-infected with HIV. The main clinical manifestation was fever (76.9%) and major clinical findings were pallor (68%), splenomegaly (67.7%) and hepatomegaly (63.9%). The treatment of choice was Glucantime (61%), conventional amphotericin B (1.44%), liposomal amphotericin B (5.77%); 15.1% of the patients developed infections. The average time between the occurrence of the first symptoms and the beginning of treatment was 32.5 days and 3.8% died. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the clinical and epidemiological characteristics identified in this study, we suggest a more effective monitoring by health professionals, aiming at early recognition and proper treatment of the disease and its complications.

Desigualdades regionais na mortalidade por câncer de colo de útero no Brasil: tendências e projeções até o ano 2030

The scope of this article is to analyze the temporal trends of cervical cancer mortality in Brazil and calculate the projection of mortality through to the year 2030. Deaths that occurred within the 1996-2010 period were analyzed (Mortality Information System). Mortality trend analysis utilized the Joinpoint regression, while Nordpred was utilized for the calculation of projections. For Brazil, decreasing trends were identified (APC = 1.7% CI95%-2.2; −1.1 p < 0.05). The Midwest region presented a significant reduction trend (APC = −1.3% per year), along with the Southeast (APC = −3.3%) and South (APC = −3.9%) regions. The North and Northeast regions presented stable trends. The states of Acre (APC = −6.5%) and Rio Grande do Sul (APC = −4.1%) presented the most pronounced reduction trends. Analysis of the mortality projections revealed a reduction in mortality rates, starting from the first projected period, with a considerable reduction for the South region. Mortality rates through to the year 2030 are explained, principally, by reductions in the riskof the disease. Cervical cancer mortality presents reducing trends, however these are unequally distributed throughout the country, where the North and Northeast regions present the highest mortality rates.The scope of this article is to analyze the temporal trends of cervical cancer mortality in Brazil and calculate the projection of mortality through to the year 2030. Deaths that occurred within the 1996-2010 period were analyzed (Mortality Information System). Mortality trend analysis utilized the Joinpoint regression, while Nordpred was utilized for the calculation of projections. For Brazil, decreasing trends were identified (APC = 1.7% CI95%-2.2; -1.1 p < 0.05). The Midwest region presented a significant reduction trend (APC = -1.3% per year), along with the Southeast (APC = -3.3%) and South (APC = -3.9%) regions. The North and Northeast regions presented stable trends. The states of Acre (APC = -6.5%) and Rio Grande do Sul (APC = -4.1%) presented the most pronounced reduction trends. Analysis of the mortality projections revealed a reduction in mortality rates, starting from the first projected period, with a considerable reduction for the South region. Mortality rates through to the year 2030 are explained, principally, by reductions in the risk of the disease. Cervical cancer mortality presents reducing trends, however these are unequally distributed throughout the country, where the North and Northeast regions present the highest mortality rates.

Future burden of prostate cancer mortality in Brazil: a population-based study

Prostate cancer mortality projections at the nationwide and regional levels to the year 2025 are carried out in this ecological study that is based on an analysis of Brazilian trends between 1996 and 2010. The predictions were made for the period 2011-2025 utilizing the Nordpred program based on the period of 1996-2010, using the age-period-cohort model. A significant increase was observed in the Brazilian rates between 1996 and 2006, followed by a non-significant decrease. The projections indicate a decrease in rates at a national level as well as for the Central, South and Southeast regions. Increases are expected for the North and Northeast regions. In conclusion, a reduction in the mortality rates for prostate cancer in Brazil is expected to the year 2025, as well as for the Central, South and Southeast regions. However, an increase in the absolute number of deaths in all regions is expected due to the anticipated aging of the population.

Analysis of suicide mortality in Brazil: spatial distribution and socioeconomic context

Objective: To perform a spatial analysis of suicide mortality and its correlation with socioeconomic indicators in Brazilian municipalities. Methods: This is an ecological study with Brazilian municipalities as a unit of analysis. Data on deaths from suicide and contextual variables were analyzed. The spatial distribution, intensity and significance of the clusters were analyzed with the global Moran index, MoranMap and local indicators of spatial association (LISA), seeking to identify patterns through geostatistical analysis. Results: A total of 50,664 deaths from suicide were registered in Brazil between 2010 and 2014. The average suicide mortality rate in Brazil was 5.23/100,000 population. The Brazilian municipalities presenting the highest rates were Taipas do Tocantins, state of Tocantins (79.68 deaths per 100,000 population), Itaporã, state of Mato Grosso do Sul (75.15 deaths per 100,000 population), Mampituba, state of Rio Grande do Sul (52.98 deaths per 100,000 population), Paranhos, state of Mato Grosso do Sul (52.41 deaths per 100,000 population), and Monjolos, state of Minas Gerais (52.08 deaths per 100,000 population). Although weak spatial autocorrelation was observed for suicide mortality (I = 0.2608), there was a formation of clusters in the South. In the bivariate spatial and classical analysis, no correlation was observed between suicide mortality and contextual variables. Conclusion: Suicide mortality in Brazil presents a weak spatial correlation and low or no spatial relationship with socioeconomic factors.

Toxoplasmosis in Sheep: A Potential Risk of Infection Among Residents and Farm Workers in Lajes, Brazil

The Toxoplasma gondii protozoan is prevalent in most areas of the world, causing veterinary and medical im- pact. The aim of this study was to make a seroepidemiological report and identify risk factors for human toxoplasmosis among residents and workers of sheep farms in Lajes, Brazil. For diagnosis, an indirect haemagglutination test was ap- plied; the seroprevalence was detected. An interview was conducted with each participant, obtaining information on cul- tural and hygiene habits, age and environmental variables suspected to affect the risk of T. gondii. The analysis for asso- ciation with risk factors did not show significant differences. However, our dates suggest that sheep farmers are at in- creased risk for Toxoplasma gondii.

Conglomerados espaciais da mortalidade por suicídio no nordeste do Brasil e sua relação com indicadores socioeconômicos

Objective: to evaluate the spatial distribution of mortality by suicide in the northeast of Brazil and its relationship with social and economic indicators, seeking to identify the distribution pattern distribution through a geostatistical analysis. Method: This is an ecological study that used suicide death data from 2000 to 2014 recorded in the Mortality Information System. Global and local Moran tests were applied for spatial autocorrelation analysis, and the bivariate LISA analysis was used to evaluate the spatial correlation between the suicide mortality rate and the independent variables. Results: The results showed that mortality due to suicide in the Northeast has poor spatial autocorrelation (I = 0.2608), although there is strong spatial autocorrelation for most of the analyzed variables. In the spatial bivariate analysis, the variables presented a Moran LISA Index close to zero, such as HDI (I = 0.025), Aging (I = 0.146) and Illiteracy (I = 0.06). Spatial bivariate analysis showed that there is no spatial autocorrelation between socioeconomic variables and standardized mortality rates y suicide. Conclusion: It is concluded that suicide mortality in the northeast of Brazil is randomly distributed and has no spatial relationship with socioeconomic variables.

Regional and gender differences in laryngeal cancer mortality: trends and predictions until 2030 in Brazil

OBJECTIVE Analysis of laryngeal cancer mortality trends in Brazil and its geographic regions for the period 1996-2010 and calculation of mortality predictions for the period 2011-2030. STUDY DESIGN An epidemiologic, ecologic, demographic-based study, which utilized information from the Mortality Information System on all cancer-related deaths in Brazil, is presented here. Mortality trends were analyzed by Joinpoint regression, and Nordpred was utilized for the calculation of predictions. RESULTS When comparing the last observed period and the last predicted period for men, an increase of 10,588 deaths is expected, representing an increase of 69%. For women, the expected increase in the number of deaths will be 2217, representing an increase of 104%. Laryngeal cancer mortality rates will increase in the North and Northeast regions for men and in the Northeast and Southeast regions for women. CONCLUSIONS Despite the current high mortality for laryngeal cancer, rates will continue to increase until 2030 in Brazil.

Seroepidemiological Survey of Canine Leishmania Infections from Peripheral Areas in Natal, Northeast Brazil

Background and Objective: Human visceral leishmaniasis is endemic in Natal, northeast of Brazil, where the domestic dog is an important parasite reservoir in the infectious cycle of Leishmania spp. In this study, was evaluated the antileishmanial IgG antibody and epidemiological factors related to canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL). Methods: Sera samples obtained by venipuncture of 1,426 dogs living in areas of human visceral leishmaniasis occurrence were tested for detection of IgG anti-leishmania antibodies with Immunofluorescence Antibody Assay (IFA) and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Chi-square (x2) and Odds Ratio (OR) were calculated. Differences were considered statistically significant at p≤0.05. RESULTS: The overall seroprevalence was 10.30% (147/1,426); prevalence increased when the samples were found to be positive at least for one technique ([417/1,426] 29.3%). The high percentage of seroprevalence was observed in Nova República (15.35%), Nova Natal I (12.7%) and Lagoa Azul (11.4%) neighborhoods. In the Planalto, Soledade and Brasil Novo, the infection rates ranged from 7.5 at 8.06%. (p=0.00051). There was neither statistically significant difference between leishmanial infection nor clinical signs of disease (p=0.84; OR=1.0 [0.41; 2.3]), sex (p=0.78, OR=0.94 [0.66; 1.28]); and breed (p=0.92; OR=1.0 [0.65; 1.54]) were observed. Conclusion: The RESULTS suggest that CVL is widely distributed in Natal, may be increasingly urbanizing and will spread through neighborhoods but not endemic, resulting in a serious public health problem, emphasizing the need for epidemiological studies to a greater understanding of the distribution of canine leishmaniasis in these specific areas and contribute proactively to the public health policies.