Karina Conceição Gomes Machado de Araújo

The endemisation of schistosomiasis in Porto de Galinhas, Pernambuco, Brazil, 10 years after the first epidemic outbreak

In 2000, after heavy rains and floods in Porto de Galinhas, Pernambuco, Brazil, an outbreak of schistosomiasis was recorded, of which 62.2% (412 cases) were of the acute clinical form. Between 2001-2009, occasional findings of Biomphalaria snails parasitised by Schistosoma mansoni indicated that disease transmission was still occurring. This motivated a new epidemiological survey between August-December 2010 to provide an update of the occurrence of this health hazard and to investigate the process of disease endemisation at this locality. This survey gathered parasitological, clinical and malacological data. The results of this survey, compared with data from the year 2000 survey, showed the following: (i) over these 10 years, there were declines in the total percentage of cases and the percentage of acute forms, (ii) the acute clinical form now represents 23.3% in contrast with the 62.2% detected in 2000 and (iii) the current prevalence of schistosomiasis is 15.7%, while in 2000 32.1% of the individuals were diagnosed as parasitised. Today, the chronic clinical form represents 76.7% of the total number of cases diagnosed, thus showing that over the 10-year period the occurrences of clinical forms became inverted. These findings, together with visual observation of insalubrious environmental conditions, indicate that schistosomiasis has become endemic in Porto de Galinhas.

Spatial analysis of schistosomiasis human cases in the horticultural community of Zona da Mata of Pernambuco state, Brazil

The objective of this study was to describe the spatial distribution of schistosomiasis in horticultural community of Natuba, district of Vitória de Santo Antão, Pernambuco state. It was conducted a parasitological survey, examined the fecal material of 310 community residents. The cases positive for Schistosoma mansoni were geocoded and included in the computerized template of the community, generating maps of spatial distribution with kernel estimators. The results showed a high prevalence of schistosomiasis, with 28.4% of the parasites. Other parasites were found in 25.8% of the population. The use of GIS tools to map and understand the possible distribution of cases of schistosomiasis in the space occupied by the community highlighting and listing locations of lower elevation (able to flooding), with a higher frequency of human cases. Studies like this provide information to the local health services, may intervene and bring about change for individuals living in areas with low housing conditions to minimize their exposure to risk of contracting schistosomiasis.

Spatial analysis for the identification of risk areas for schistosomiasis mansoni in the State of Sergipe, Brazil, 2005-2014.

INTRODUCTION: Schistosomiasis is a parasitic infectious disease with a worldwide prevalence. The objective of this work is to identify risk areas for schistosomiasis mansoni transmission in the State of Sergipe, Brazil, during the period from 2005 to 2014. METHODS: We conducted an epidemiological study with secondary data from the Information System Control Program of Schistosomiasis [Sistema de Informação do Programa de Controle da Esquistossomose (SISPCE)]. Temporal trends were analyzed to obtain the annual percentage change (APC) in the rates of annual prevalence. In addition to the description of general indicators of the disease, the spatial analysis was descriptive, by means of the estimator of intensity kernel, and showed spatial dependence by indicators of global Moran (I) and Local Index of Spatial Association (LISA). Thematic maps of spatial distribution were made, identifying priority intervention areas in need of healthcare. RESULTS: There were 78,663 cases of schistosomiasis, with an average of 8.7% positivity recorded; 79.8% of the cases were treated, and Sergipe showed a decreasing positive trend (APC: -2.78). There was the presence of spatial autocorrelation and a significant global Moran index (I = 0.19; p-value = 0.03). We identified clusters of high-risk areas, mainly located in the northeast and southcentral of the state, which each had equally high infection rates. CONCLUSIONS: There was a decreasing positive trend of schistosomiasis in Sergipe. Spatial analysis identified the geographic distribution of risk and allowed the definition of priority areas for the maintenance and intensification of control interventions.

Spatial analysis and temporal trends of suicide mortality in Sergipe, Brazil, 2000-2015

BACKGROUND The World Health Organization defines suicide as the act of deliberately killing oneself. It is the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year olds globally. OBJECTIVE To analyze the epidemiological profile and the spatial distribution of suicide deaths in the state of Sergipe. METHODS We performed an ecological time-series study with data from the Brazilian Mortality Information System (Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade - SIM) about deaths by suicide occurring between 2000 and 2015. We considered as suicide deaths cases recorded as voluntary self-inflicted injuries. Suicide rates were estimated and age-adjusted in the population above 9 years. We analyzed temporal trends by sex and age groups using the simple linear regression model. For the spatial analysis, we performed Kernel density estimation with the software TerraView version 4.2.2. RESULTS We identified 1,560 suicide cases in the state of Sergipe between 2000 and 2015, with a mean of 97.5 cases per year. We also observed that suicide rates in the state increased 102.3% (from 2.69/100,000 population in 2000 to 5.44 in 2015). Suicides occurred predominantly among males (1,160 cases; 74.35%), single people (1,010 cases; 64.7%), and brown-skinned people (1,039 cases; 66.6%). We observed significantly growing temporal trends in the general population, especially among male adults. Spatial analysis allowed us to draw a map that showed the regions with the highest occurrence of suicide. CONCLUSION We observed growing suicide trends in the state of Sergipe and the spatial analysis was an important tool that showed the areas with higher incidences of suicide.

Spatial analysis of viral hepatitis and schistosomiasis coinfection in an endemic area in Northeastern Brazil

INTRODUCTION: This cross-sectional study analyzed the spatial distribution of hepatitis B or C virus (HBV/HBC) and schistosomiasis coinfection. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from patients with Schistosoma mansoni infection. These were tested for serological markers of HBV/HCV infection. The spatial distribution of coinfection was analyzed using intensity kernel estimation. RESULTS: Overall, 9.4% of individuals had contact with HBV and 1.7% of samples tested positive for anti-HCV antibodies. We identified clusters of risk located in the central region. CONCLUSIONS: Spatial analysis allowed visualization of high-risk areas, leading to a definition of priority areas to be targeted for intensification of control interventions.

Development of an experimental model of schistosomal myeloradiculopathy

Schistosomal myeloradiculopathy (SMR) is a severe form of presentation of schistosomiasis in which Schistosoma spp. affect the spinal cord. The aims of the present study were to develop an animal model of SMR caused by S. mansoni, to characterize both sensory and motor abnormalities in the infected animals, and to investigate the relationship of the sensory, motor and histological findings with the progression of the infection over time. Mechanical sensitivity and behavioral tests were performed followed by euthanasia in male Wistar rats divided into six groups of five animals each, on days 5, 10, 20 and 30 after infection of S. mansoni eggs. The controls were subjected to the same procedure but were administered phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). The spinal cord was removed and subjected to histological analysis. S. mansoni eggs were found in the spinal cord of 25% of the infected animals, which belonged to the groups that exhibited more significant reduction of the superficial mechanical sensitivity, thermal sensitivity and muscle strength. This model proved to be satisfactory to assess functional changes in Wistar rats and might be used in studies investigating the pathogenesis of SMR. To our knowledge, this is the first experimental model of SMR.

Turismo de risco para esquistossomose mansônica em Porto de Galinhas, Estado de Pernambuco, Brasil

Despite the Porto de Galinhas resort – located in the City of Ipojuca, Pernambuco State, Brazil – the most popular tourist destination in the State, many hotels have been built in areas without sanitation where proliferate breeding sites and foci of Biomphalaria glabrata, the main snail transmitter of schistosomiasis. The locality is considered endemic for this disease and in the rainy season, the risk of exposure increases with streets and gardens full of snails, which promotes seasonal infection of the population of that place. The aim of the current study was to (1) perform georeferenced mapping of hotels, inns, breeding sites and outbreaks of vector snails for schistosomiasis in Merepe III district, by the use of GPS; (2) check the distance and the influence of the breeding sites, foci and accommodation places by the construction of Kernel maps; and (3) define the spatial risk for exposure or contamination of tourists using thematic Kernel maps, showing the overlap of the expansion of water depth with vector snails on accommodation places. The Merepe III district showed 37 accommodation places, seven breeding sites and a focus of B. glabrata. The Kernel map showed that 24.32%, 45.95% and 70.27% of the accommodation places are within a distance of 100, 200 and 300 m, respectively from the focus of transmission of schistosomiasis vectors. The water depth of the rains, the breeding sites and foci overlap, showing the exposure risk area for tourists that walk around the streets of Porto de Galinhas.

Fatores materno-infantis associados à diástase dos músculos retos do abdome no puerpério imediato

Objectives: to compare the distance between the rectus abdominis muscles (RAM) and the prevalence of separation of the rectus abdominis muscle (SRAM) in the supra- and infra-umbilical regions of primiparous and multiparous women during immediate post-partum and to identify associated factors relating to mother and child. Methods: a cross-sectional study was carried out with 115 primiparous and 154 multiparous women. The SRAM was measured 4.5 cm above and below the umbilical scar and was correlated with maternal age, body mass index (BMI), gestational age, weight, height, and the circumference of the head and thorax of the newborn. Students t test, Pearsons correlation, the chi-squared test and multiple logistic regression, p<0.05, were used to analyze the data. Results: the distance between the supra-umbilical RAMs was 3.04 (±1.68) and 3.35 (±1.19) cm in the primiparous and multiparous women. The prevalence of supra-umbilical SRAM was 74.8% and 76.6% and that of infra-umbilical SRAM 40.0% and 54.5%. In both groups a positive correlation was found between the distance between the supra-umbilical RAM, the age of the mother, BMI and infra-umbilical RAM. The BMI and weight of the newborn were the factors associated with supra-umbilical SRAM in primiparous women and maternal age was the associated factor among multiparous women. Conclusions: irrespective of parity, the distance between the RAM and the prevalence of SRAM were greater in the supra-umbilical region and correlated with the age of the mother, BMI and infra-umbilical SRAM. Among primiparous women the associated factors were BMI and weight of the newborn and among multiparous women, the age of the mother alone.