Pneumonia adquirida na comunidade: aspectos etiopatogênicos, métodos diagnósticos e condutas terapêuticas

A pneumonia adquirida na comunidade (PAC) consiste em uma infecção pulmonar aguda infecciosa que acomete indivíduos fora do ambiente hospitalar ou de demais centros de saúde. Etiologicamente, sabe-se que a PAC pode ser causada por vírus, bactérias ou fungos, estando associada a uma ampla gama de microrganismos patogênicos, o que caracteriza a sua apresentação como típica ou atípica. Em virtude da sua variedade etiológica, a epidemiologia é variada e a incidência depende de diversos fatores. Sua patogênese envolve uma complexa interação entre os agentes etiológicos, os fatores imunes do hospedeiro e os fatores ambientais. Todavia, sabe-se que decorre da microaspiração dos patógenos, os quais atingem as vias aéreas inferiores e desencadeiam uma resposta inflamatória exuberante, levando à consolidação pulmonar, o que compromete a eficiência da troca gasosa alveolar. As manifestações clínicas decorrentes da PAC são amplas e variam de paciente para paciente e conforme a apresentação e gravidade da doença. Contudo, a sintomatologia clássica cursa com dispneia, tosse produtiva e febre. No que tange ao diagnóstico, este é, frequentemente, clínico, baseado na história de evolução da doença e no exame físico. Comumente, utiliza-se métodos para confirmação diagnóstica, como exames laboratoriais e exames de imagem, em especial a radiografia de tórax. Tais exames ajudam coletivamente a confirmar a presença de uma pneumonia, avaliando sua gravidade e, em alguns casos, identificando o patógeno causador, o que aumenta as chances de sucesso terapêutico. Ademais, escores de gravidade da doença são, usualmente, utilizados, como o Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) e o CURB-65, os quais auxiliam na determinação do nível em que o tratamento será realizado, considerando que pode ser ambulatorial ou hospitalar. O manejo terapêutico é imprescindível, a fim de evitar evolução do quadro e piora progressiva da função pulmonar, o qual é realizado com esquemas antimicrobianos, a depender da suspeita do agente etiológico, da gravidade do quadro e das comorbidades de cada paciente

Chronic inflammatory diseases, subclinical atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular diseases: Design, objectives, and baseline characteristics of a prospective case-cohort study ‒ ELSA-Brasil

Objectives: This analysis describes the protocol of a study with a case-cohort to design to prospectively evaluate the incidence of subclinical atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) in Chronic Inflammatory Disease (CID) participants compared to non-diseased ones. Methods: A high-risk group for CID was defined based on data collected in all visits on self-reported medical diagnosis, use of medicines, and levels of high-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein >10 mg/L. The comparison group is the Aleatory Cohort Sample (ACS): a group with 10% of participants selected at baseline who represent the entire cohort. In both groups, specific biomarkers for DIC, markers of subclinical atherosclerosis, and CVD morbimortality will be tested using weighted Cox. Results: The high-risk group (n = 2,949; aged 53.6 ± 9.2; 65.5% women) and the ACS (n=1543; 52.2±8.8; 54.1% women) were identified. Beyond being older and mostly women, participants in the high-risk group present low average income (29.1% vs. 24.8%, p < 0.0001), higher BMI (Kg/m2) (28.1 vs. 26.9, p < 0.0001), higher waist circumference (cm) (93.3 vs. 91, p < 0.0001), higher frequencies of hypertension (40.2% vs. 34.5%, p < 0.0001), diabetes (20.7% vs. 17%, p = 0.003) depression (5.8% vs. 3.9%, p = 0.007) and higher levels of GlycA a new inflammatory marker (p < 0.0001) compared to the ACS. Conclusions: The high-risk group selected mostly women, older, lower-income/education, higher BMI, waist circumference, and of hypertension, diabetes, depression, and higher levels of GlycA when compared to the ACS. The strategy chosen to define the high-risk group seems adequate given that multiple sociodemographic and clinical characteristics are compatible with CID

Hypotensive effect and endothelium-dependent vascular action of leaves of Alpinia purpurata (Vieill) K. Schum

The aims of this study were to evaluate the chemical profile, vascular reactivity, and acute hypotensive effect (AHE) of the ethanolic extract of leaves of Alpinia purpurata (Vieill) K. Schum (EEAP). Its chemical profile was evaluated using HPLC-UV, ICP-OES, and colorimetric quantification of total flavonoids and polyphenols. The vascular reactivity of the extract was determined using the mesenteric bed isolated from WKY. AHE dose-response curves were obtained for both EEAP and inorganic material isolated from AP (IAP) in WKY and SHR animals. Cytotoxic and mutagenic safety levels were determined by the micronucleus test. Rutin-like flavonoids were quantified in the EEAP (1.8 ± 0.03%), and the total flavonoid and polyphenol ratios were 4.1 ± 1.8% and 5.1 ± 0.3%, respectively. We observed that the vasodilation action of EEAP was partially mediated by nitric oxide (·NO). The IAP showed the presence of calcium (137.76 ± 4.08 μg mg-1). The EEAP and IAP showed an AHE in WKY and SHR animals. EEAP did not have cytotoxic effects or cause chromosomic alterations. The AHE shown by EEAP could result from its endothelium-dependent vascular action. Rutin-like flavonoids, among other polyphenols, could contribute to these biological activities, and the calcium present in EEAP could act in a synergistic way

Meta-analysis of the prevalence and risk factors associated with bovine neosporosis

Neospora caninum is one of the main infectious agents that cause reproductive disorders in cattle. However, knowledge about the prevalence and causal factors of bovine neosporosis is needed in order to establish control measures. The purpose of this study was to estimate the pooled prevalence and determine the risk factors of bovine neosporosis using meta-analytic methods. Searches for data on N. caninum seroprevalence and potential risk factors were conducted in the PubMed, LILACS, and SciElo databases. The random effects model was used for the meta-analysis of the included studies. The pooled prevalence of N. caninum in cattle was 24% (95% confidence interval (CI), 19-29) in North and Central America, 24% (95% CI, 20-28) in South America, 18% (95% CI, 14-21) in Asia, 15% (95% CI, 12-18) in Europe, 13% (95% CI, 11-16) in Africa, and 8% (95% CI, 4-14) in Oceania. A significant correlation was found between N. caninum infection and abortion in cows (odds ratio (OR) = 2.66, 95% CI, 1.97-3.59). The following risk factors were signicantly associated with N. caninum seroprevalence: presence of dogs on the farm (OR = 2.84; 95% CI, 1.40-5.80) and the type of cattle production system, with dairy cattle being more susceptible to bovine neosporosis (OR = 1.60; 95% CI, 1.16-2.19) than beef cattle. The adoption of measures to prevent the dissemination of N. caninum in cattle herds is suggested, aiming to reduce the economic losses incurred to the dairy and beef industry.publishe

Perspectives of healthcare workers on the morality of abortion: a multicenter study in seven Brazilian public hospitals

We used the questionnaire ?Mosaic of Opinions on Induced Abortion? to conduct a multi-centered study to evaluate the perspectives of physicians, nurses, social workers, psychologists and pharmacists on the morality of abortion. In all, 254 participants constituted the sample. The inadequate knowledge on Brazilian abortion laws was the only determinant negatively associated with the construct ?Sexual and Reproductive Rights?, corroborating the hypothesis that a better understanding of abortion legislation could mitigate the opposition of some professionals to the ethical perspective that access to safe abortion should be seen as a sexual and reproductive rightsem informaçã

Measurement properties of the questionnaire "Mosaic of opinions on induced abortion" : a multicenter study in seven Brazilian hospitals

In Brasil, abortion is legal in cases of rape, when there is a risk of maternal death, and in cases of fetal anencephaly. However, the literature reports that some doctors refuse to care for women with such demands or come to perform it in a discriminatory manner. OBJECTIVE: Pretest, test and evaluate the measurement properties of the “Mosaic of Opinions on Induced Abortion,” a questionnaire developed to investigate the perspectives of Brazilian healthcare professionals about the morality of abortion. METHODS: Firstly, the questionnaire was pretested in an intentional sample of specialists. Secondly, it was tested in a randomized sample of 32 healthcare professionals. Finally, we conducted a multi-center study in seven university hospitals to evaluate the measurement properties of the questionnaire. RESULTS: Combined samples of the three phases totalized 430 individuals. In pretest and test, all the evaluated aspects obtained satisfactory results. In the multicenter phase, confirmatory factorial analysis led to an important reduction of the questionnaire, which also obtained good indicators of reliability, beyond the validation of construct and criteria. CONCLUSION: Questionnaire has been validated and is suitable for use in other surveys in Brasil

Avaliação dos serviços hospitalares de emergência do estado do Rio de Janeiro Evaluation of emergency hospital services in the state of Rio de Janeiro

O presente estudo avalia as Unidades Hospitalares de Urgência/Emergência e registrou a relação da emergência com usuários, outros serviços do hospital e com a rede assistencial. Abordou a relação entre trabalhadores, a dimensão do seu quadro, formação e vencimentos. Relacionou a infra-estrutura cobrindo aspectos essenciais da organização, onde a assistência foi um dos componentes desse objeto mais amplo. Foi realizado um estudo descritivo com aplicação de questionário para os chefes de serviços, em uma amostra de 30 hospitais. Os depoimentos indicam que a ineficiência da atenção básica e da rede induzem à superlotação (que atingiu 80% dos hospitais), o que deteriora as condições de trabalho e assistência. O déficit de recursos humanos encontrado foi maior que o tecnológico. A precariedade dos vínculos empregatícios foi apontada como fator que dificulta a fixação e qualificação do profissional. Os itens melhor avaliados foram: relacionamento com chefia, confiança e expectativa com o serviço. Os piores foram salários, tamanho de equipe e medicina do trabalho. O investimento em recursos humanos é imprescindível. Há necessidade das políticas públicas articularem intervenções mais efetivas já que as vigentes definem a configuração dos territórios sanitários com suas redes hierarquizadas e solidárias.<br>This study aimed at the evaluation of urgency/emergency hospital units and recorded the relations of emergency units with users, other hospital services and the healthcare network and approached the size of the teams, the relations among the professionals, their qualification and income. It further describes the infrastructure of these services including basic organizational aspects. The aspect care was one component in this broader object. It is a descriptive study applying a questionnaire to the heads of the emergency services of a sample of 30 hospitals.The statements suggest the overcrowding of emergency services (in 80% of hospitals) deteriorating the work and care conditions to be due to the inefficiency of primary care and the healthcare network. The deficit of human resources was found larger than the lack of technology. The precarious employment relations were considered a factor hampering the qualification and retention of professionals. The most favorably evaluated items were: relationship with service heads, trust and expectations with regard to the service. The worst items were: wages, team size and labor medicine. The nvestment in human resources is indispensable. There is a need for public policies that articulate more efficient interventions given that those in force are defining the configuration of territories with their hierarchized and solidary networks