Epidemiologia da raiva humana no estado do Ceará, 1970-2019

Objective: To describe the epidemiology of cases of human rabies in Ceará State, Brazil, 1970-2019. Methods: We analyzed secondary data from the State Department of Health and the reference hospital. Results: Of 171 cases, 75.7% occurred in males, 60.0% in <19 year-olds, and 56.0% in urban areas. Rabies was transmitted by dogs in 74.0%, marmosets in 16.7% and bats in 7.3%. Between 1970 and 1978, there was an increase of cases (by Joinpoint Regression Program, annual percentage change [APC] = 13.7 – 95%CI 4.6;41.5), and 1978-2019 a decrease (APC = -6.7 – 95%CI -8.8;-5.9). There was a reduction of transmission by dogs (71 cases, last case in 2010) and an increase by sylvatic animals (5 cases since 2005). Conclusion: This study demonstrates changes of transmission dynamics of rabies during the last years, with reduction of transmission by dogs and relative increase of transmission by sylvatic animals.Objetivo: Descrever os casos de raiva humana no estado do Ceará, Brasil, no período 1970-2019. Métodos: Estudo descritivo, sobre dados secundários da Secretaria da Saúde e do hospital de referência do Ceará. Resultados: Dos 171 casos, 75,7% ocorreram em homens, 60,0% nas idades até 19 anos e 56,0% em áreas urbanas. O cão foi agente transmissor em 74,0% dos casos, sagui em 16,7% e morcego em 7,3%. Entre 1970 e 1978, houve crescimento do número de casos (pelo Joinpoint Regression Program, percentual da mudança anual [APC] = 13,7 – IC95% 4,6;41,5); e entre 1978 e 2019, redução (APC = -6,7 – IC95% -8,8;-5,9). Houve redução da transmissão por cães (71 casos; último caso em 2010) e aumento relativo por mamíferos silvestres (5 casos a partir de 2005). Conclusão: O estudo evidencia mudança na dinâmica da transmissão da raiva no período observado, com redução da transmissão por cão e incremento de casos por animais silvestres

FATAL DISSEMINATED CRYPTOCOCCOSIS WITH RENAL INVOLVEMENT IN AN HIV-INFECTED PATIENT

Introdução: Apresentamos um caso fatal de criptococose disseminada em homem jovem cujo diagnóstico de HIV foi feito no momento da admissão na emergência.Relato de caso: O paciente, de 23 anos, sexo masculino, tinha história de febre diária de um mês de duração, associada à diarreia, perda de peso, cefaleia, vômitos e convulsões generalizadas. Tinha ainda história de diabetes mellitus, alcoolismo e drogadição. Ao exame físico havia palidez, desorientação e períodos de agitação. Os exames laboratoriais mostraram 3.440 leucócitos/mm3(5% linfócitos), hemoglobina de 10 g/dL, 83,000 plaquetas/mm3, creatinina de 0,7mg/dL, ureia de 19 mg/dL, Na, K e enzimas hepáticas dentro dos limites da normalidade. A lactato desidrogenase era 494 UI/L. Análise do líquor revelou 10 leucócitos/mm3 (58% neutrófilos, 31% linfócitos, 11% monócitos) e 2 hemácias/mm3, glicose de 122 mg/dL e proteína de 36 mg/dL. A análise com tinta da Índia revelou seis blastoconídeos de Cryptococcus/mm³. O VDRL foi negativo e o anti-HIV positivo. Foi iniciado tratamento com hidratação venosa, insulina, fenitoína, fluconazol, pirimetamina, sulfadiazina, ácido folínico e anfotericina B. O paciente não apresentou melhora e evoluiu com obnubilação e hipotensão, sendo intubado e iniciada ventilação mecânica. Foram administradas drogas vasoativas, e o paciente evoluiu a óbito menos de 24h após a admissão. A autópsia revelou criptococose disseminada, com grave envolvimento renal.Conclusão:A criptococose é via-de-regra, doença sistêmica que afeta principalmente indivíduos imunocomprometidos, especialmente com AIDS, e quando diagnosticada tardiamente apresenta alta mortalidade.Introduction: We present a fatal case of disseminated cryptococcosis in a young man whose diagnosis of HIV infection was made at the time of admission to the emergency room.Case report: The patient was a twenty-three-year-old man, with a history of daily fever during one month associated with diarrhea, weight loss, headache, vomiting and generalized seizures. He also had a history of diabetes mellitus, alcoholism and drug addiction. Upon physical examination the patient was pale, disoriented and had periods of agitation. White blood cells count was 3,440/mm3 (5% lymphocytes), hemoglobin was 10g/dL, platelets were 83,000/ mm3. Creatinine was 0.7 mg/dL; urea 19 mg/dL; Na, K, and liver enzymes were within normal limits. Lactic dehydrogenase was 494 IU/L. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed 10 white blood cells/mm3 (58% neutrophils, 31% lymphocytes, 11% monocytes) and 2 red blood cells/mm3. India ink test revealed six Cryptococcusyeasts/mm3. CSF glucose was 122 mg/dL and protein was 36 mg/ dL. VDRL test was negative and anti-HIV test was positive. Intravenous hydration, insulin, phenytoin, fluconazole, pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine, folinic acid, and amphotericin B were started. The patient did not improve and became obtunded and hypotensive. He was intubated and put on mechanical respiration. He received vasoactive drugs and died less than 24 hours after admission. A postmortem examination was performed and revealed disseminated cryptococcosis, with severe involvement of the kidneys.Conclusion:Cryptococcosis, as a rule, is a systemic disease that affects mostly immunocompromised individuals, especially patients with AIDS. When diagnosed late in its course it has a very high mortality

Lower levels of leptin are associated with severity parameters in visceral leishmaniasis patients.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is the most severe clinical form of leishmaniasis, and if untreated may be fatal. It affects important organs of the immune system and is characterized by a specific immunosuppression, along with intense cellular activation and cytokine storm. Moreover, VL is now recognized as a systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), in which multiple cytokines and other pro-inflammatory molecules are released. The action of these inflammatory mediators may be considered risk factors for poor prognosis and death. Leptin, a hormone derived from adipose tissue, has been described with several immunoregulatory functions in vitro and in vivo Leishmania infection models, particularly for enhancing the macrophage microbicidal mechanisms. Considering that evaluation of immunologic parameters that may be associated with this clinical scenario may help to decrease VL lethality, we evaluated whether leptin is associated with VL pathogenesis. Thirty-one patients were recruited in the active phase of VL, of which 22 were followed up until one month after therapy (1mpt). Except for creatinine levels, all clinical parameters were altered in active VL patients, especially leucocyte counts and albumin and hemoglobin levels. Also, elevated levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), immunoglobulins (Ig)G1 and G3 anti-Leishmania and interleukins (IL)-6 and -10 were higher than in healthy individuals. In contrast, active VL patients presented diminished serum leptin levels and positive correlation with leukocytes counts and hemoglobin and albumin levels. After 1mpt, VL patients showed a significant increase in leptin levels, reaching values similar to healthy volunteers. As expected, only LPS levels remained elevated after 1mpt. These findings suggest that leptin levels are affected in Leishmania infection and the correlation with important parameters associated with the prognosis of VL points to the involvement of this molecule in VL immunopathogenesis. Additional studies are needed to evaluate the possibility of leptin as a prognostic marker of VL