Understanding the clinical spectrum of complicated Plasmodium vivax malaria: a systematic review on the contributions of the Brazilian literature

The resurgence of the malaria eradication agenda and the increasing number of severe manifestation reports has contributed to a renewed interested in the Plasmodium vivax infection. It is the most geographically widespread parasite causing human malaria, with around 2.85 billion people living under risk of infection. The Brazilian Amazon region reports more than 50% of the malaria cases in Latin America and since 1990 there is a marked predominance of this species, responsible for 85% of cases in 2009. However, only a few complicated cases of P. vivax have been reported from this region. A systematic review of the Brazilian indexed and non-indexed literature on complicated cases of vivax malaria was performed including published articles, masters' dissertations, doctoral theses and national congresses' abstracts. The following information was retrieved: patient characteristics (demographic, presence of co-morbidities and, whenever possible, associated genetic disorders); description of each major clinical manifestation. As a result, 27 articles, 28 abstracts from scientific events' annals and 13 theses/dissertations were found, only after 1987. Most of the reported information was described in small case series and case reports of patients from all the Amazonian states, and also in travellers from Brazilian non-endemic areas. The more relevant clinical complications were anaemia, thrombocytopaenia, jaundice and acute respiratory distress syndrome, present in all age groups, in addition to other more rare clinical pictures. Complications in pregnant women were also reported. Acute and chronic co-morbidities were frequent, however death was occasional. Clinical atypical cases of malaria are more frequent than published in the indexed literature, probably due to a publication bias. In the Brazilian Amazon (considered to be a low to moderate intensity area of transmission), clinical data are in accordance with the recent findings of severity described in diverse P. vivax endemic areas (especially anaemia in Southeast Asia), however in this region both children and adults are affected. Finally, gaps of knowledge and areas for future research are opportunely pointed out

Prevalência da hepatite viral C em adultos usuários de serviço público de saúde do município de São José dos Pinhais - Paraná Prevalence of hepatitis C in adult users of the public health service of São José dos Pinhais - Paraná

OBJETIVOS: Investigar a prevalência da Hepatite Viral C em adultos usuários de serviço público de saúde do município de São José dos Pinhais, Paraná. MÉTODO: Inquérito epidemiológico com amostra probabilística e estratificada de 5.017 pessoas voluntárias, submetidas a questionário e teste rápido anti-HCV. Os dados foram organizados no programa Epi-info 3.5.1. A associação entre a presença ou não da doença e os fatores de interesse foram avaliados pelo teste Qui-quadrado. Para análise conjunta dos fatores de risco ajustou-se um modelo de Regressão Logística e considerou-se o teste de Wald para a tomada de decisão sobre a importância dos fatores. RESULTADOS: A frequência absoluta foi de 13 positivos, com prevalência de 0,30%, (IC = 0,12% - 0,40%). A maior probabilidade da doença foi no sexo masculino (p = 0,008) e no estado civil solteiros, separados ou viúvos (p = 0,045); com história de manifestação prévia de sintomas (p < 0,001) e de hemotransfusão (p < 0,001); e com presença de tatuagem (p = 0,033). Independente de sexo, idade e estado civil, uso de drogas, hemotransfusão e idade superior a 40 anos aumentou o risco à doença. CONCLUSÃO: Encontrou-se baixa prevalência, entretanto, esperada para a região sul do país. Os resultados não diferiram de outros estudos quanto aos riscos de contaminação. Este estudo poderá contribuir para alertar sobre a importância do agravo, a necessidade de implementação de estratégias de enfrentamento e o estímulo para melhor compreensão da Hepatite C.<br>OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the prevalence of Hepatitis C in adult users of the Public Health Services of São José dos Pinhais - Paraná. METHODS: We performed an epidemiological survey with a probabilistic sample of 5,017 volunteers who answered a questionnaire and were submitted to an anti-HCV quick test. Data were organized using Epi-info 3.5.1. The association between the presence of the disease and the factors of interest in the study were evaluated by the Chi-square test. We used a Logistic Regression Adjusted Model for risk factor analysis and the Wald test for decision making on the importance of the risk factors. RESULTS: The absolute frequency of positive anti-HCV was 13, with a prevalence of 0.30%, (IC = 0.12% - 0.40%). A higher probability of the disease was reported in males (p = 0.008) and in single, separated and widowed subjects (p = 0.045); in subjects with prior HCV symptoms (p < 0.001) and a previous blood transfusion (p < 0.001); and with the presence of a tattoo (p = 0.033). Drug abuse, blood transfusion and age > 40 years increased the risk for disease, regardless of sex, age and marital status. CONCLUSION: We found a low prevalence of Hepatitis C, albeit expected for Southern Brazil. Our results did not differ from other studies as to contamination risks. The study may contribute to highlight the importance of Hepatitis C, the need to implement strategies to cope with it, and stimulate better understanding of Hepatitis C