Vitor Laerte Pinto Junior

Mass treatment for intestinal helminthisis control in an Amazonian endemic area in Brazil

O presente trabalho objetivou avaliar a prevalencia e o papel de um tratamento em massa das helmintiases intestinais em Santa Isabel do Rio Negro, Estado do Amazonas, Brasil. Foi realizado em 2002 um estudo seccional, incluindo inquerito copro-parasitologico, objetivando a obtencao das prevalencias das parasitoses intestinais e dados sobre as condicoes sanitarias do local, estudando-se uma amostra de 308 individuos. Em 2003 foi realizada intervencao para tratamento em massa das helmintiases intestinais com administracao de albendazol (ou mebendazol para criancas entre 12 e 24 meses) na sede do municipio, alcancando-se 83% de cobertura. Novo inquerito copro-parasitologico foi realizado em 2004, para comparacao das prevalencias antes a apos o tratamento. As prevalencias das infeccoes por Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura e ancilostomideos foram 48%, 27% e 21%, respectivamente em 2002. Em 2004 observou-se reducao significativa das infeccoes por Ascaris lumbricoides (p < 0,05; OR / 95% IC = 0,44 / 0,30 - 0,65), Trichuris trichiura (p < 0,05; OR / 95% IC = 0,37 / 0,22 - 0,62), ancilostomideos (p < 0,05; OR / 95% IC = 0,03 / 0,01 - 0,15) e poliparasitismo por helmintos intestinais (p < 0,05; OR / 95% IC = 0,16 / 0,08 - 0,32). Foi tambem observada reducao da prevalencia de infeccao por Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (p < 0,05; OR / 95% CI = 0,30 / 0,19 - 0,49). Concluiu-se que o tratamento em massa pode auxiliar o controle das helmintiases intestinais, porem acoes governamentais em infraestrutura urbana e educacao sao essenciais para uma reducao sustentada das prevalencias destas infeccoes.The objective of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthiasis and evaluate the sanitary conditions and the role of a mass treatment campaign for control of these infections in Santa Isabel do Rio Negro. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in 2002, to obtain data related to the sanitary conditions of the population and fecal samples for parasitological examination in 308 individuals, followed by a mass treatment with albendazole or mebendazole with coverage of 83% of the city population in 2003. A new survey was carried out in 2004, involving 214 individuals, for comparison of the prevalences of intestinal parasitosis before and after the mass treatment. The prevalences of ascariasis, trichuriasis and hookworm infection were 48%; 27% and 21% respectively in 2002. There was a significant decrease for the frequency of infections by Ascaris lumbricoides (p < 0.05; OR / 95% CI = 0.44 / 0.30 - 0.65), Trichuris trichiura (p < 0.05; OR / 95% CI = 0.37 / 0.22 - 0.62), hookworm (p < 0.05; OR / 95% CI = 0.03 / 0.01 - 0.15) and helminth poliparasitism (p < 0.05; OR / 95% CI = 0.16 / 0.08 - 0.32). It was also noticed a decrease of prevalence of infection by Entamoeba histolytica / dispar (p < 0.05; OR / 95% CI = 0.30 / 0.19 - 0.49) and non-pathogenic amoebas. It was inferred that a mass treatment can contribute to the control of soil-transmitted helminthiasis as a practicable short-dated measure. However, governmental plans for public health, education and urban infrastructure are essential for the sustained reduction of prevalences of those infections.

IL-6 and IL-8 in cerebrospinal fluid from patients with aseptic meningitis and bacterial meningitis: their potential role as a marker for differential diagnosis

Cytokines are molecules that act as mediators of immune response; cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) IL-6 is found in all meningeal inflammatory diseases, but IL-8 is associated with acute bacterial meningitis (ABM). A case control study was done to ascertain the discriminatory power of these cytokines in differentiating ABM from aseptic meningitis (AM); IL-6 and IL-8 CSF concentrations were tested through ELISA in samples collected from patients who underwent investigation for meningitis. Sixty patients, 18 with AM, nine with bacteriologic confirmed ABM and 33 controls, assisted in 2005 (MA and controls) and 2007 (ABM) were included. Differently from controls, IL-6 concentrations were increased both in MA and ABM patients (p < 0.05). CSF IL-8 levels were higher in ABM than in AM and controls (p < 0.05). Discriminatory power in ABM as assessed by the area under receiver operator (ROC) curve was 0.951 for IL-8, using a cut-off of 1.685 ng/dL (100% of sensitivity and 94% of specificity). The CSF concentration of both IL-6 and IL-8 are increased in the presence of meningeal inflammation, IL-8 could be an important tool to differentiate ABM from AM.

Twenty years of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in Brazil: a review of epidemiological and clinical aspects

Hantavirus infection is transmitted to humans by wild rodents and the most common clinical form in Brazil is the Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). The first serological evidence of the disease was identified in 1990, in Recife, Pernambuco State, and later in 1993 in Juquitiba, State of São Paulo. Since then there has been a progressive increase in case notification in all regions of the country. The clinical aspects of the disease in Brazil are characterized by a prodromal phase, with nonspecific signs and symptoms of an acute febrile illness. After about three days, respiratory distress develops, accompanied by dry cough that turns progressively productive, evolving to dyspnea and respiratory failure with cardiogenic shock. Although the majority of patients receive hospital care in intensive care therapy units, case-fatality rate in Brazil ranges from 33% to 100% depending on the region. Besides it has to be added the problem of differential diagnosis with other prevalent diseases in the country, like dengue and leptospirosis. Questions about the impact of uncontrolled urbanization and other environmental changes caused by human action have been raised. Due to increasing incidence and high case-fatality, there is an urge to respond to such questions to recommend preventative measures. This article aims to review the main acquisitions in clinical and epidemiological knowledge about HPS in Brazil in the last twenty years.

Cryptococcus gattii molecular type VGII as agent of meningitis in a healthy child in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: report of an autochthonous case

Cryptococcus gattii causes meningoencephalitis in immunocompetent hosts, occurring endemically in some tropical and subtropical regions. Recently, this fungus was involved in an outbreak in Vancouver Island and British Columbia (Canada). In this temperate region, the VGII type is predominant. The paper describes an autochthonous case of meningoencephalitis by C. gattii VGII in a previously health child in Rio de Janeiro, considered nonendemic region of Brazil. The fungus was identified by biochemical tests and the molecular type was determined by URA5-RFLP. The present report highlights the need for clinical vigilance for primary cryptococcal meningitis in nonendemic areas.

Description of a widespread outbreak of aseptic meningitis due to echovirus 30 in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil

Echovirus 30 belongs to the genus Enterovirus and is widely associated with aseptic meningitis (AM) outbreaks. In Brazil epidemics due to this serotype were reported in several states but in Rio de Janeiro, before this study, it was only involved in sporadic episodes. We retrospectively collected data from AM notifications charts and enterovirus isolation database from Rio de Janeiro State Health Department (RJSHD) and Enterovirus Reference Laboratory in the year of 2005. An outbreak of AM was detected during March, April and May associated with a high cell culture isolation rate for echovirus 30 (17.4%). Male children with ages varying from 1 to 9 years were more affected. Of the 22 patients with confirmed echovirus 30 disease, clinical information was available in eight; fever, headache and vomiting were the most common manifestations. CSF analysis showed a typical pattern of viral infection with median of cellularity of 100 cells/mm(3) and mononuclear cell predominance in 64.7% of the cases. The median of protein and glucose levels of 49 mg/dL and 56.5 mg/dL. The fatality rate was null. Despite its benign course and the lack of treatment options, aseptic meningitis surveillance is crucial for early identification of causative agents of outbreaks, which helps to avoid additional testing and inappropriate use of antimicrobials.

Criptococose associada à Aids: a importância do cultivo da urina no seu diagnóstico

In this retrospective study we analyzed 70 HIV patients with cryptococcosis over a 16-years period. The specimens with the best positivity were CSF (97.8%) followed by the culture of urine sediment (86.7%) and blood culture (58.8%). We conclude that the urine could be a useful tool for the diagnosis of cryptococcosis.

Análise espacial e temporal dos casos de aids no Brasil em 1996-2011: áreas de risco aumentado ao longo do tempo

OBJECTIVE to identify areas with greater risk of AIDS transmission in Brazil. METHODS this is an ecological study involving georeference of AIDS cases incidence, prevalence and density in Brazilian municipalities using the Kernel method for the periods 1996-1999, 2000-2003, 2004-2007 and 2008-2011. RESULTS 633,512 AIDS cases were reported between 1996-2011; between 2008-2011, there was increased risk of AIDS transmission in Recife-João Pessoa region, the emergence of areas with average density in the regions of Belém, São Luís, Maceió, Aracaju and Salvador, and a decline in the intensity of risk in São Paulo, Campinas and Ribeirão Preto; prevalence rates were most concentrated in the Southeast, South and Midwest regions of the country. CONCLUSION overall, AIDS incidence in Brazil showed successive increases in the periods analyzed; case prevalence indicates spatial clusters, with high concentrations in the Southeast, South and Midwest regions.OBJETIVO: identificar las areas con mayor riesgo de transmision de SIDA en Brasil. METODOS: estudio ecologico, con georeferenciamento de las tasas de incidencia, prevalencia y densidad de casos usando el metodo de Kernel, en los periodos de 1996-1999, 2000-2003 2004-2007 y 2008-2011. RESULTADOS: en el periodo de 1996-2011, fueron registrados 633.512 casos de SIDA, entre 2008-2011, hubo un aumento del riesgo de transmision de SIDA en el eje Recife-Joao Pessoa, surgieron areas con densidad media en las regiones de Belem, Sao Luis, Maceio, Aracaju y Salvador, y hubo una disminucion del riesgo en Sao Paulo, Campinas y Ribeirao Preto; la tasa de prevalencia mostro una rapida propagacion y concentracion de los casos en las regiones Sudeste, Sur y Centro-Oeste. CONCLUSION: en general, la incidencia de SIDA en Brasil presenta incrementos sucesivos en los periodos analizados; la prevalencia de casos apunta conglomerados en el espacio con altas concentraciones en las regiones Sudeste, Sur y Centro-Oeste.OBJETIVO: identificar las areas con mayor riesgo de transmision de SIDA en Brasil. METODOS: estudio ecologico, con georeferenciamento de las tasas de incidencia, prevalencia y densidad de casos usando el metodo de Kernel, en los periodos de 1996-1999, 2000-2003 2004-2007 y 2008-2011. RESULTADOS: en el periodo de 1996-2011, fueron registrados 633.512 casos de SIDA, entre 2008-2011, hubo un aumento del riesgo de transmision de SIDA en el eje Recife-Joao Pessoa, surgieron areas con densidad media en las regiones de Belem, Sao Luis, Maceio, Aracaju y Salvador, y hubo una disminucion del riesgo en Sao Paulo, Campinas y Ribeirao Preto; la tasa de prevalencia mostro una rapida propagacion y concentracion de los casos en las regiones Sudeste, Sur y Centro-Oeste. CONCLUSION: en general, la incidencia de SIDA en Brasil presenta incrementos sucesivos en los periodos analizados; la prevalencia de casos apunta conglomerados en el espacio con altas concentraciones en las regiones Sudeste, Sur y Centro-Oeste.

O desafio da gestão de equipamentos médico-hospitalares no Sistema Único de Saúde

The study analyzed the medical equipment management policies adopted by the Ministry of Health for the Unified Health System. We conducted a document analysis of the publications of the Ministry of Health and a data analysis of the National Registry of Health Facilities, in period from 2005 to 2013. The country established a Technology Management Policy on Health and an area for the management of Hemorrede equipment. The supply of equipment to the private network is superior to the public one, highlighting the need for management and monitoring technologies to ensure access to users in the public area and reduce the dependence of the Unified Health System.

The evolution of the federal funding policies for the public health surveillance component of Brazil's Unified Health System (SUS)

Health surveillance (HS) is one of the key components of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). This article describes recent changes in health surveillance funding models and the role these changes have had in the reorganization and decentralization of health actions. Federal law no. 8.080 of 1990 defined health surveillance as a fundamental pillar of the SUS, and an exclusive fund with equitable distribution criteria was created in the Basic Operational Norm of 1996 to pay for health surveillance actions. This step facilitated the decentralization of health care at the municipal level, giving local authorities autonomy to plan and provide services. The Health Pact of 2006 and its regulation under federal decree No. 3252 in 2009 bolstered the processes of decentralization, regionalization and integration of health care. Further changes in the basic concepts of health surveillance around the world and in the funding policies negotiated by different spheres of government in Brazil have been catalysts for the process of HS institutionalization in recent years.

Community viral load of HIV in Brazil, 2007 - 2011: potential impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in reducing new infections

Objectives: To estimate the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) viral load in the Brazilian population and to assess the potential impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in reducing new infections to build evidences and to gather information to support health policies. Methods: Spatial analysis and modeling tools were used to describe the existing patterns of the viral load density, using the Kernel method. Data on viral load and treatment were retrieved from the databases Laboratory Tests Control System (SISCEL), which contains information on the individuals history of viral load, and Medication Logistics Control System (SICLOM), which controls the dispensing of drugs used for antiretroviral therapy. Results: It was observed that the community viral load (CVL) decreased progressively from 2007 to 2011, accompanied by a decrease of more than 32% in the mean CVL (CVLM) - 22,900 copies/mL in 2007 versus 15,418 copies/mL in 2011. During this period, there was a reduction of CVLM in all regions of Brazil, although North and Northeast showed, respectively, CVLM 1.7 and 1.5 times higher than that in the Southeast region. A comparison between the individuals who underwent and who did not undergo HAART showed an increase of up to 3.9 times in 2011 in the viral load among those who did not undergo the therapy. Conclusion: The approach presented in this study indicates the existence of clusters with high concentrations. The use of Kernel in the identification of clusters proved to be a good tool for exploratory analysis, enabling the risk identification in certain geographic areas without the usual political and administrative divisions.Objectives: To estimate the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) viral load in the Brazilian population and to assess the potential impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in reducing new infections to build evidences and to gather information to support health policies. Methods: Spatial analysis and modeling tools were used to describe the existing patterns of the viral load density, using the Kernel method. Data on viral load and treatment were retrieved from the databases Laboratory Tests Control System (SISCEL), which contains information on the individuals history of viral load, and Medication Logistics Control System (SICLOM), which controls the dispensing of drugs used for antiretroviral therapy. Results: It was observed that the community viral load (CVL) decreased progressively from 2007 to 2011, accompanied by a decrease of more than 32% in the mean CVL (CVLM) - 22,900 copies/mL in 2007 versus 15,418 copies/mL in 2011. During this period, there was a reduction of CVLM in all regions of Brazil, although North and Northeast showed, respectively, CVLM 1.7 and 1.5 times higher than that in the Southeast region. A comparison between the individuals who underwent and who did not undergo HAART showed an increase of up to 3.9 times in 2011 in the viral load among those who did not undergo the therapy. Conclusion: The approach presented in this study indicates the existence of clusters with high concentrations. The use of Kernel in the identification of clusters proved to be a good tool for exploratory analysis, enabling the risk identification in certain geographic areas without the usual political and administrative divisions.