[meningococcal Disease Diagnostic Criteria In Greater Metropolitan Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil].

The aim of this article is to evaluate confirmatory criteria: culture, latex agglutination, counter immunoelectrophoresis, microscopic examination, and clinical/epidemiological criteria for cases of meningococcal disease reported in Greater Metropolitan Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil, from 1993 to 2002 (568 cases). The following variables were also studied: clinical features, gender, age, city, hospital, case fatality, seasonality, and Neisseria meningitidis serogroup. Culture as a confirmatory criterion was the dependent variable in univariate analysis. The mean proportion of confirmatory criterion by culture was 68.7%. Clinical features of meningococcal disease -- meningitis without septicemia (OR = 2.87; CI: 1.89-4.38) and septicemia without meningitis (OR = 0.26; CI: 0.17-0.45) -- were associated with confirmation by culture. Case fatality rates were different among all diagnostic criteria. More attention should be given to etiological diagnostic confirmation in more severe cases. Diagnostic methods such as PCR may improve etiological confirmation of meningococcal disease in cases with negative cultures.201531-

Letalidade na epidemiologia da doença meningocócica: estudo na região de Campinas, SP, 1993 a 1998

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the trends of the meningococcal disease cumulative incidence and case-fatality rate in the region of Campinas, Brazil, an area that encircles five cities and 1.2 million inhabitants, from 1993 to 1998. METHODS: A longitudinal retrospective study of all case records (375) obtained from the regional epidemiological surveillance system was carried out. A logistic regression analysis allowed identifying the risk factors related to fatal outcomes of meningococcal disease. RESULTS: The highest fatality rates (23.8%) were seen in the period of 1996 and 1997, coinciding with the incidence peaks of serogroup B Neisseria and a high percentage of septicemia cases. Also at the same period there was registered a poor etiological investigation of the cases. A seasonal pattern and the predomination of strains B:4:P1.15 and C:2b:P1.3 were observed. In the logistic regression analysis, the risk factors related to fatality were: septicemia with or without meningitis (adjusted odds ratio [ORa] = 13.88 and 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.68--42.13); age over 30 years (ORa = 6.42; CI = 2.32--17.80); age under 1 year (ORa = 2.95; CI = 1.55--5.63); and serogroup B (ORa = 2.33; CI = 1.14--4.79). CONCLUSIONS: Septicemia, age and serogroup were predictive variables related to a fatal outcome. In 1996 and 1997, case-fatality rates were high, indicating the need to further assessment of the quality of the services delivered and their readiness to take preventive action. The lack of etiological identification in many cases precluded more accurate inferences about the epidemiological behavior of Neisseria meningitidis in the region.OBJETIVO: Analisar a tendência da letalidade e da incidência da doença meningocócica no período de 1993 a 1998 na região de Campinas, SP, abrangendo cinco municípios de seu entorno (1,2 milhões de habitantes). MÉTODOS: Foi realizado estudo longitudinal retrospectivo de todos os casos notificados (375) da doença meningocócica pela vigilância epidemiológica regional. Por meio de análise de regressão logística foram identificados os fatores associados ao aumento da letalidade dessa doença. RESULTADOS: Os anos de 1996 e de 1997 apresentaram maiores coeficientes de letalidade (23,8%), coincidindo com picos de incidência do sorogrupo B, altos percentuais de meningococcemia e menor investigação etiológica. Observou-se padrão sazonal e predomínio da circulação da Neisseria meningitidis das cepas B:4:P1.15 e C:2b:P1.3. Os fatores relacionados com o aumento da letalidade pela análise de regressão logística foram: presença de meningococcemia, com ou sem meningite (odds ratio ajustado (ORaj) 13,88 e intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC) 4,68-42,13); idade acima de 30 anos (ORaj 6,42; IC 2,32-17,80); idade inferior a 1 ano (ORaj 2,95; IC 1,55-5,63); e sorogrupo B (ORaj 2,33; IC 1,14- 4,79). CONCLUSÕES: A septicemia, a idade e o sorogrupo mostraram-se variáveis preditoras de morte. Em alguns anos os coeficientes de letalidade apresentaram-se altos, indicando a necessidade de investigação da qualidade e da agilidade da assistência à saúde na prevenção dos óbitos. O percentual de identificação etiológica dos casos dificultou conclusões mais precisas sobre o comportamento epidemiológico das cepas

Case fatality rate for meningococcal disease: study in the region of Campinas, SP, Brazil 1993 to 1998

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the trends of the meningococcal disease cumulative incidence and case-fatality rate in the region of Campinas, Brazil, an area that encircles five cities and 1.2 million inhabitants, from 1993 to 1998. METHODS: A longitudinal retrospective study of all case records (375) obtained from the regional epidemiological surveillance system was carried out. A logistic regression analysis allowed identifying the risk factors related to fatal outcomes of meningococcal disease. RESULTS: The highest fatality rates (23.8%) were seen in the period of 1996 and 1997, coinciding with the incidence peaks of serogroup B Neisseria and a high percentage of septicemia cases. Also at the same period there was registered a poor etiological investigation of the cases. A seasonal pattern and the predomination of strains B:4:P1.15 and C:2b:P1.3 were observed. In the logistic regression analysis, the risk factors related to fatality were: septicemia with or without meningitis (adjusted odds ratio [ORa] = 13.88 and 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.68--42.13); age over 30 years (ORa = 6.42; CI = 2.32--17.80); age under 1 year (ORa = 2.95; CI = 1.55--5.63); and serogroup B (ORa = 2.33; CI = 1.14--4.79). CONCLUSIONS: Septicemia, age and serogroup were predictive variables related to a fatal outcome. In 1996 and 1997, case-fatality rates were high, indicating the need to further assessment of the quality of the services delivered and their readiness to take preventive action. The lack of etiological identification in many cases precluded more accurate inferences about the epidemiological behavior of Neisseria meningitidis in the region.OBJETIVO: Analisar a tendência da letalidade e da incidência da doença meningocócica no período de 1993 a 1998 na região de Campinas, SP, abrangendo cinco municípios de seu entorno (1,2 milhões de habitantes). MÉTODOS: Foi realizado estudo longitudinal retrospectivo de todos os casos notificados (375) da doença meningocócica pela vigilância epidemiológica regional. Por meio de análise de regressão logística foram identificados os fatores associados ao aumento da letalidade dessa doença. RESULTADOS: Os anos de 1996 e de 1997 apresentaram maiores coeficientes de letalidade (23,8%), coincidindo com picos de incidência do sorogrupo B, altos percentuais de meningococcemia e menor investigação etiológica. Observou-se padrão sazonal e predomínio da circulação da Neisseria meningitidis das cepas B:4:P1.15 e C:2b:P1.3. Os fatores relacionados com o aumento da letalidade pela análise de regressão logística foram: presença de meningococcemia, com ou sem meningite (odds ratio ajustado (ORaj) 13,88 e intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC) 4,68-42,13); idade acima de 30 anos (ORaj 6,42; IC 2,32-17,80); idade inferior a 1 ano (ORaj 2,95; IC 1,55-5,63); e sorogrupo B (ORaj 2,33; IC 1,14- 4,79). CONCLUSÕES: A septicemia, a idade e o sorogrupo mostraram-se variáveis preditoras de morte. Em alguns anos os coeficientes de letalidade apresentaram-se altos, indicando a necessidade de investigação da qualidade e da agilidade da assistência à saúde na prevenção dos óbitos. O percentual de identificação etiológica dos casos dificultou conclusões mais precisas sobre o comportamento epidemiológico das cepas.58959

Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (MTLE) Drug-Refractoriness Is Associated With P2X7 Receptors Overexpression in the Human Hippocampus and Temporal Neocortex and May Be Predicted by Low Circulating Levels of miR-22

Objective: ATP-gated ionotropic P2X7 receptors (P2X7R) actively participate in epilepsy and other neurological disorders. Neocortical nerve terminals of patients with Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy with Hippocampal Sclerosis (MTLE-HS) express higher P2X7R amounts. Overexpression of P2X7R bolsters ATP signals during seizures resulting in glial cell activation, cytokines production, and GABAergic rundown with unrestrained glutamatergic excitation. In a mouse model of status epilepticus, increased expression of P2X7R has been associated with the down-modulation of the non-coding micro RNA, miR-22. MiR levels are stable in biological fluids and normally reflect remote tissue production making them ideal disease biomarkers. Here, we compared P2X7R and miR-22 expression in epileptic brains and in the serum of patients with MTLE-HS, respectively. Methods: Quantitative RT-PCR was used to evaluate the expression of P2X7R in the hippocampus and anterior temporal lobe of 23 patients with MTLE-HS and 10 cadaveric controls. Confocal microscopy and Western blot analysis were performed to assess P2X7R protein amounts. MiR-22 expression was evaluated in cell-free sera of 40 MTLE-HS patients and 48 healthy controls. Results: Nerve terminals of the hippocampus and neocortical temporal lobe of MTLE-HS patients overexpress (p 3) anti-epileptic drug (AED) regimens. Conclusion: Data show that there is an inverse relationship between miR-22 serum levels and P2X7R expression in the hippocampus and neocortex of MTLE-HS patients, which implies that measuring serum miR-22 may be a clinical surrogate of P2X7R brain expression in the MTLE-HS. Moreover, the high area under the ROC curve (0.777; 95% CI 0.629-0.925; p = 0.001) suggests that low miR-22 serum levels may be a sensitive predictor of poor response to AEDs among MTLE-HS patients. Results also anticipate that targeting the miR-22/P2X7R axis may be a good strategy to develop newer AEDs.This research was partial funded by a BICE Tecnifar Grant. The work performed in PC-S’s Lab was partially supported by UP/Santander Totta and Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT, POCTI PTDC/SAU-PUB/28311/2017—EPIRaft grant and Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional—FEDER funding and COMPETE—MedInUP projects Pest-OE/SAU/UI215/2014, UID/BIM/4308/2016, UIDB/04308/2020 and UIDP/04308/2020). Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB) is funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) Portugal (grant numbers UIDB/00215/2020 and UIDP/00215/2020) and ITR—Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (LA/P/0064/2020). RM-F was in receipt of an FCT PhD studentship (SFRH/BD/137900/2018).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Streptococcus pyogenes Causing Skin and Soft Tissue Infections Are Enriched in the Recently Emerged emm89 Clade 3 and Are Not Associated With Abrogation of CovRS

Although skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) are the most common focal infections associated with invasive disease caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (Lancefield Group A streptococci - GAS), there is scarce information on the characteristics of isolates recovered from SSTI in temperate-climate regions. In this study, 320 GAS isolated from SSTI in Portugal were characterized by multiple typing methods and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility and SpeB activity. The covRS and ropB genes of isolates with no detectable SpeB activity were sequenced. The antimicrobial susceptibility profile was similar to that of previously characterized isolates from invasive infections (iGAS), presenting a decreasing trend in macrolide resistance. However, the clonal composition of SSTI between 2005 and 2009 was significantly different from that of contemporary iGAS. Overall, iGAS were associated with emm1 and emm3, while SSTI were associated with emm89, the dominant emm type among SSTI (19%). Within emm89, SSTI were only significantly associated with isolates lacking the hasABC locus, suggesting that the recently emerged emm89 clade 3 may have an increased potential to cause SSTI. Reflecting these associations between emm type and disease presentation, there were also differences in the distribution of emm clusters, sequence types, and superantigen gene profiles between SSTI and iGAS. According to the predicted ability of each emm cluster to interact with host proteins, iGAS were associated with the ability to bind fibrinogen and albumin, whereas SSTI isolates were associated with the ability to bind C4BP, IgA, and IgG. SpeB activity was absent in 79 isolates (25%), in line with the proportion previously observed among iGAS. Null covS and ropB alleles (predicted to eliminate protein function) were detected in 10 (3%) and 12 (4%) isolates, corresponding to an underrepresentation of mutations impairing CovRS function in SSTI relative to iGAS. Overall, these results indicate that the isolates responsible for SSTI are genetically distinct from those recovered from normally sterile sites, supporting a role for mutations impairing CovRS activity specifically in invasive infection and suggesting that this role relies on a differential regulation of other virulence factors besides SpeB

Streptococcus canis Are a Single Population Infecting Multiple Animal Hosts Despite the Diversity of the Universally Present M-Like Protein SCM

Streptococcus canis is an animal pathogen which occasionally causes infections in humans. The S. canis M-like protein (SCM) encoded by the scm gene, is its best characterized virulence factor but previous studies suggested it could be absent in a substantial fraction of isolates. We studied the distribution and variability of the scm gene in 188 S. canis isolates recovered from companion animals (n = 152), wild animal species (n = 20), and humans (n = 14). Multilocus sequence typing, including the first characterization of wildlife isolates, showed that the same lineages are present in all animal hosts, raising the possibility of extensive circulation between species. Whole-genome analysis revealed that emm-like genes found previously in S. canis correspond to divergent scm genes, indicating that what was previously believed to correspond to two genes is in fact the same scm locus. We designed primers allowing for the first time the successful amplification of the scm gene in all isolates. Analysis of the scm sequences identified 12 distinct types, which could be divided into two clusters: group I (76%, n = 142) and group II (24%, n = 46) sharing little sequence similarity. The predicted group I SCM showed extensive similarity with each other outside of the N-terminal hypervariable region and a conserved IgG binding domain. This domain was absent from group II SCM variants found in isolates previously thought to lack the scm gene, which also showed greater amino acid variability. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the possible host interacting partners of the group II SCM variants and their role in virulence

Incidence of flu-like syndrome and influenza vaccine adverse effects in the institucionalized elderly in Campinas - São Paulo

Orientador: Maria Rita Donalisio CordeiroDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias MedicasResumo: Surtos de infecções respiratórias, particularmente pelo vírus influenza são comuns em instituições asilares, sendo a vacina a maneira mais eficaz de prevenção. Os objetivos desse trabalho foram: estudar a incidência de síndrome gripal no período de 15 meses e analisar a ocorrência de eventos adversos após vacinação contra influenza nos idosos de instituição asilar de Campinas, SP. Foram visitados semanalmente os indivíduos institucionalizados, SUS dependentes (N=154), moradores do Lar dos Velhinhos de Campinas para detecção de casos de síndrome gripal (SG) de junho de 2004 a agosto de 2005. Foram incluídos na pesquisa os indivíduos com condições de compreender e responder as perguntas e que consentiram em participar. Após a campanha vacinal contra influenza em abril de 2004, os idosos vacinados somente contra a influenza (cobertura de 95%) foram investigados no 5o dia após a aplicação do imunobiológico para detecção de sintomas sugestivos de eventos adversos, com nexo temporal com a vacina. Foram investigadas em modelo logístico múltiplo, co-variáveis possivelmente associadas à ocorrência de SG e de eventos adversos (variáveis dependentes). Dentre os 154 identificados acompanhados, 50 (32,5 por 100 moradores) apresentaram sintomas gripais. Foram encontrados 76 episódios de SG cuja distribuição temporal concentrou-se nos meses de junho de 2004 e 2005. A incidência de pelo menos um evento adverso foi de 14,3 por 100 vacinados. Entre as queixas pós-vacinais referidas, 12 (57,1%) foram de sintomas locais, sendo a dor no local da aplicação o evento de maior freqüência tanto nas mulheres (53,3%) quanto nos homens (50,0%). A ocorrência de eventos adversos bem como de quadro de SG não se associaram a nenhuma co-variável testada nos modelos logísticos. Embora com altas coberturas, houve indícios de circulação de vírus de tropismo respiratório na instituição. Ressalta-se a importância de manter altas as coberturas vacinais contra influenza nos moradores e funcionários, além de incrementar medidas de prevenção de doenças de transmissão por secreções. A baixa reatogenicidade da vacina pode facilitar a adesão às campanhas. A vigilância etiológica da SG poderá dar mais subsídios para a compreensão da dinâmica de circulação de patógenos em populações de riscoAbstract: Respiratory infection, particularly influenza outbreaks are common in institutionalized individuals. Vaccination is the most efficient prevent measure. The aim of this work were: to study respiratory infection incidence in institutionalized elderly subjects in 15 months period and to analyze the occurrence of adverse effects after influenza vaccination in a nursing home in Campinas, São Paulo State. SUS dependent elderly people (N= 154) living in Lar dos Velhinhos de Campinas were visited weekly to detect flu like syndrome from June 2004 to August 2005. It was included individuals with ability to understand and to answer research questions and those who accept to participated. After influenza vaccination campaign of April 2004 (coverage 95%) individuals were investigated in the 5-day to discover vaccine side events. A multiple logistic models were applied to investigate association between co variables and flu like syndrome and adverse events (dependent variables). Among the 154 subjects, it was identified 50 (32.5%) individuals witch present flu like symptoms during study period. Temporal trend of the 76 episodes showed concentration in June 2004 and 2005. Incidence of at least one side effect was 14.3 per 100 vaccinated residents. Local symptoms were referred by 12 (57.1%) individuals, whereas the most frequent complain was local pain in women (53.3%) and men (50%). Neither side effects nor flu like syndrome were associated with co variables in the logistic models. Despite high influenza coverage levels it was detected respiratory virus circulation in the nursing home. It is reinforced the importance of influenza vaccination of residents and staff, and also improvement of routine measures to prevent secretion transmission disease. The safety and low reatogenity of influenza vaccine may help campaign adhesion. Etiologic surveillance of flu like syndrome could improve understanding of the pathogens circulation among risk populationMestradoEpidemiologiaMestre em Saude Coletiv

Eventos adversos após vacinação contra influenza em idosos, Distrito de Campinas, SP, 2000

Há poucos dados sistematizados sobre eventos adversos da vacina contra influenza no Brasil. Este trabalho visou identificar estes eventos em população acima de 60 anos que compareceu à Campanha Nacional de Vacinação do Idoso, em Distrito de Campinas, SP, em 2000. Foi realizada entrevista para relato de sintomas gerais e locais, com nexo temporal após a aplicação do imunobiológico, em amostra aleatória sistemática da população (n=206). Registraram-se 20,38% (IC 14,87-25,88) dos indivíduos com um ou mais sintomas, sendo a dor no local da vacina, a mais freqüente 12,6% (IC 8,09-17,15). Ajustou-se um modelo de regressão logística múltipla, tendo como variável dependente, a ocorrência de pelo menos um evento adverso. A variável independente que se mostrou associada às reações adversas foi o sexo (feminino) (OR=5,89 e IC 2,08-16,68). Os achados deste estudo reafirmam a pequena reatogenicidade da vacina contra a influenza.Adverse reactions associated with vaccines are poorly documented in Brazil. The aim of this article was to identify the incidence of adverse effects to the influenza vaccine in the elderly of Campinas district, SP. A questionnaire was applied to a random systematic sample of people over 60 years of age (n = 206), participating in the Brazilian Vaccination Campaign during 2000. Temporal link was taken into account for general and local symptoms after vaccine. One or more symptoms were reported by 20.48% (CI 14.87-25.88) and local pain was the most frequent complaint 12.62% (CI 8.09 -17.15). A multi-regression logistic model was adjusted, considering any adverse effects after exposure as the dependent variable. The independent variable associated with adverse effects was female gender (OR = 5.89 and CI 2.08-16.68). This study reaffirms the low reactogenicity of influenza vaccine

[adverse Reactions To Influenza Vaccine In The Elderly, Campinas District, Sp, 2000].

Adverse reactions associated with vaccines are poorly documented in Brazil. The aim of this article was to identify the incidence of adverse effects to the influenza vaccine in the elderly of Campinas district, SP. A questionnaire was applied to a random systematic sample of people over 60 years of age (n = 206), participating in the Brazilian Vaccination Campaign during 2000. Temporal link was taken into account for general and local symptoms after vaccine. One or more symptoms were reported by 20.48% (CI 14.87-25.88) and local pain was the most frequent complaint 12.62% (CI 8.09 -17.15). A multi-regression logistic model was adjusted, considering any adverse effects after exposure as the dependent variable. The independent variable associated with adverse effects was female gender (OR = 5.89 and CI 2.08-16.68). This study reaffirms the low reactogenicity of influenza vaccine.36467-7

Avaliação da qualidade da atenção à doença meningocócica na Região Metropolitana de Campinas, 2000 a 2012

OBJETIVO: analisar a assistência ao paciente, o diagnóstico laboratorial e a vigilância epidemiológica da doença meningocócica (DM) na Região Metropolitana de Campinas estado de São Paulo, mediante indicadores operacionais associados à qualidade da atenção. MÉTODOS: estudo retrospectivo dos casos de DM notificados no Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (Sinan) entre 2000 e 2012. RESULTADOS: dos 929 casos estudados, 35,5% apresentaram a tríade de sintomas (febre, vômitos e rigidez de nuca) e 62,2% foram internados nas primeiras 24 horas; realizou-se punção lombar em 89,7%; houve confirmação laboratorial em 80,4%; 34,6% foram notificados nas primeiras 24 horas e 36,2% receberam quimioprofilaxia nas primeiras 48 horas. CONCLUSÃO: as internações foram oportunas, o diagnóstico laboratorial de boa qualidade, a investigação epidemiológica e o encerramento dos casos revelaram-se adequados; todavia, as ações de notificação e quimioprofilaxia não foram oportunas; indicadores operacionais de qualidade da atenção contribuem para o monitoramento e controle da DM