Disability progression among leprosy patients released from treatment: a survival analysis

Leprosy can be cured, but physical disability (PD) as a result of the infection can progress in the post-release from treatment phase. This study evaluated the likelihood of, and factors associated with, the progression of the PD grade post-release from treatment among leprosy patients treated in Cáceres-MT, Brazil in the period 2000 to 2017.; A retrospective cohort study and survival analysis were performed in the hyperendemic municipality of Cáceres in the state of Mato Grosso. The study population consisted of newly diagnosed leprosy patients released from treatment between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2017. The main outcome was the progression of the PD grade with regard to probability and time; and the evaluated covariates included clinical, operational and demographic variables. The Cox proportional risk model was used to estimate the risk ratio (Hazard Ratios) of the covariates. Both an univariate and a multivariate analysis were implemented, with 95% confidence intervals.; The mean time for progression of the PD grade was 162 months for PB and 151 months for MB leprosy patients. The survival curve showed that 15 years after the release from treatment, the probability of PD grade progression was 35%, with no difference between PB and MB or age groups. Leprosy reactions and registered medical complaints of any kind during treatment were identified as risk factors with Hazard Ratios of 1.6 and 1.8 respectively.; People released from treatment as cured of leprosy are susceptible to worsening of the PD, especially those who have had complications during multi-drug therapy treatment. This indicates that leprosy patients should be periodically monitored, even after the successful completion of multidrug therapy

Prevalence of American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis in Brazil – a systematic review and meta-analysis

American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) is a zoonotic disease that affects the skin and mucous membranes, and that is caused by different species of protozoa of the genus Leishmania. This disease has different clinical forms: cutaneous, disseminated cutaneous, diffuse and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. The objective of this systematic review is to investigate the prevalence and distribution of ATL in Brazil. Studies that analised patients with ATL diagnosed by at least one of the parasitological gold standard methods, PCR, or by serological methods were included.  Thirteen studies from PubMed, Regional Portal of the Virtual Health Library (BVS), Brazilian Society of Dermatology, Virtual Health Library (IBECS), Literature in the Health Sciences in Latin America and the Caribbean (LILACS), Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (Medline), Elsevier Embase, Cochrane Library, The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) were included. We found a combined prevalence in the general population of 40.0% (95% CI: 17.0–63.0%; weight 100%). When the prevalence was analyzed by state, we found a prevalence of 97.0% in Rio de Janeiro. The South and Southeast regions showed the highest percentage, with 48.0% followed by the Central-West region with 24.0%. The Montenegro’s intradermal reaction and cultures were the most used test to diagnose. This study revealed a high prevalence of ATL in several studies conducted in Brazil, a value that was influenced by the most studied regions such South and Southeast, where a prevalence of up to 48% was found

Program of follow-up of cohort of patients with familial hypercholesterolemia in the metropolitan region of São Paulo

Introdução: A Hipercolesterolemia Familiar (HF) é uma doença genética caracterizada clinicamente por elevados níveis de lipoproteína de baixa densidade (LDL-C) na corrente sanguínea desde a infância. Indivíduos que apresentam HF podem desenvolver doença aterosclerótica ainda em idade jovem. Os principais preditores de risco no desenvolvimento da doença cardiovascular (DCV) nesses indivíduos após entrarem em um programa de rastreamento genético não são conhecidos na nossa população. Além disso, a HF é subdiagnosticada e subtratada mundialmente e o rastreamento genético em cascata dos familiares tem sido mundialmente avaliado como o método diagnóstico mais custo. Contudo, a efetividade do rastreamento genético em cascata é dependente dos critérios clínicos de entrada do primeiro indivíduo da família e não há um consenso de qual critério apresenta a melhor acurácia para detecção de uma mutação. Objetivos: Identificar os fatores determinantes para ocorrência de eventos cardiovasculares (CV) em todos os indivíduos da coorte e avaliar o critério clínico para detecção de uma variante genética patogênica para HF, no primeiro indivíduo da família, após serem inseridos em um programa de rastreamento genético em cascata.Métodos: Estudo de coorte prospectiva aberta dos pacientes que foram inseridos no programa de rastreamento genético em cascata para HF. A população do estudo é definida como caso índice (CI), o primeiro da família a ser identificado clinicamente e encaminhado para o teste genético, e os familiares, que são os parentes de 1º grau do CI em que foi encontrada uma alteração genética. Todos os indivíduos são inseridos na coorte no momento em que recebem o laudo genético (tempo zero, T0). Um ano depois do T0 é realizado o primeiro contato telefônico, ou seja, primeiro ano de seguimento (T1) Resultados: No T1, o total de 818 indivíduos foi incluído, sendo verificados 47 eventos CV, sendo 14 (29,7%) fatais. Para o CI, o único fator independente associado ao aumento do risco de eventos CV no T1 foi a presença de arco corneano (OR: 9,39; IC 95%: 2,46-35,82). Para os familiares com uma mutação positiva os fatores associados ao aumento do risco de eventos CV foram diabetes mellitus (OR: 7,97; IC 95%: 2,07-30,66) e consumo de tabaco (OR: 3,70; IC 95%: 1,09-12,50). Na análise do melhor critério clínico para detecção de uma mutação patogênica no CI os valores de LDL-C >= 230 mg/dL tiveram a melhor relação entre sensibilidade e especificidade. Na análise da curva ROC o escore Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) apresentou melhor desempenho do que o LDL-C para identificar uma mutação, a área sob a curva ROC foi 0,744 (IC 95%: 0,704-0,784) e 0,730 (IC 95%: 0,687-0,774), respectivamente, p = 0, 014. Conclusão: Em um ano de seguimento essa coorte identificou uma alta incidência de eventos CV após a entrada em um programa de rastreamento genético em cascata e os preditores dos eventos CV diferem entre CI e familiares. Esses resultados podem contribuir para o desenvolvimento de ações preventivas nesse grupo altamente susceptível de indivíduos. Além disso, devido a importância da detecção da mutação para um diagnóstico definitivo de HF e a importância da cascata ser custo efetiva o estudo identificou que o critério único do LDL-C >= 230 mg/dl é viável para indicar o CI para o teste genéticoIntroduction: Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disease characterized clinically by high levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) in the bloodstream since childhood. Individuals with FH can develop atherosclerotic disease at a young age. The main predictors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in these individuals after entering a genetic screening program are not known in our population. In addition, FH is underdiagnosed and undertreated worldwide and cascaded genetic screening of family members has been evaluated globally as the most cost effective for the diagnosis of FH. However, the effectiveness of cascading genetic screening is dependent on the clinical entry criteria of the first individual in the family and there is no consensus as to which criterion shows the best accuracy for detecting a mutation. Objectives: To identify the determinant factors for cardiovascular (CV) events in all individuals in the cohort and to evaluate the clinical criteria for detecting a genetic variant pathogenic to FH in the first individual of the family after being inserted into a genetic screening program in cascade. Methods: Open prospective cohort study of patients who were enrolled in the cascade genetic screening program for FH. The study population is defined as index case (IC), the first of the family to be clinically identified and referred to the genetic test, and relatives, who are the first-degree relatives of the IC in which a genetic alteration was found. All individuals are inserted into the cohort at the moment they receive the genetic report (time zero, T0). The first follow-up telephone contact is made one year after T0 (first year of follow-up, T1). Results: In T1, a total of 818 subjects were included, and 47 CV events were verified, of which 14 (29.7%) were fatal. For IC, the only factor independently associated with the increased risk of CV events in T1 was the presence of a corneal arch (OR: 9.39; 95% CI: 2.46-35.82). For relatives with positive mutation, factors associated with increased risk of CV events were diabetes mellitus (OR: 7.97; 95% CI: 2.07-30.66) and tobacco consumption (OR: 3.70; 95% CI: 1.09-12.50). In the analysis of the best clinical criteria for the detection of a pathogenic mutation in the IC, the LDL-C values >= 230 mg/dL had the best relationship between sensitivity and specificity. In the ROC curve analysis, the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) score performed better than LDL-C to identify a mutation, the area under the ROC curve was 0.744 (95% CI: 0.704-0.784) and 0.730 (CI 95 %: 0.687-0.774), respectively, p = 0.014. Conclusion: At one year follow-up this cohort identified a high incidence of CV events following entry into a cascade genetic screening program and the predictors of CV events differ between IC and family members. These results may contribute to the development of preventive actions in this group highly susceptible to individuals. In addition, because of the importance of detecting the mutation for a definitive diagnosis of HF and the importance of the cascade being cost effective, the study identified that the single LDL-C criterion >= 230 mg / dl is feasible to indicate IC for the genetic tes

High risk of respiratory diseases in children in the fire period in Western Amazon

OBJETIVO Analisar os riscos toxicológicos da exposição ao ozônio (O3) e a partículas finas (PM2,5) em escolares. MÉTODOS Avaliação do risco toxicológico foi aplicada para verificar o risco de exposição ao O3 e PM2,5 a partir da queima de biomassa, em escolares de seis a 14 anos, moradores de Rio Branco, Acre, no sul da Amazônia. Nós usamos a simulação de Monte Carlo para estimar a dose potencial de ingresso do poluente. RESULTADOS As concentrações de O3 e PM2,5 atingiram 119,4 mg/m3 e 51,1 mg/m3, respectivamente, durante os períodos de queimadas. Os escolares incorporaram doses potenciais médias relativas à exposição ao O3 (2,83 μg/kg.dia, IC95% 2,72–2,94). Para a exposição a PM2,5, não encontramos risco toxicológico (0,93 μg/kg.dia; IC95% 0,86–0,99). O O3 apresentou risco toxicológico maior que 1 para todas as crianças (Quociente de Risco [QR] = 2,75; IC95% 2,64–2,86). CONCLUSÕES Escolares são expostos a altas doses de O3 durante a estação seca. Isso representa risco toxicológico, principalmente para aqueles com agravos à saúde pregressa.OBJECTIVE To analyze the toxicological risk of exposure to ozone (O3) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) among schoolchildren.. METHODS Toxicological risk assessment was used to evaluate the risk of exposure to O3 and PM2.5 from biomass burning among schoolchildren aged six to 14 years, residents of Rio Branco, Acre, Southern Amazon, Brazil. We used Monte Carlo simulation to estimate the potential intake dose of both pollutants. RESULTS During the slash-and-burn periods, O3 and PM2.5 concentrations reached 119.4 µg/m3 and 51.1 µg/m3, respectively. The schoolchildren incorporated medium potential doses regarding exposure to O3 (2.83 μg/kg.day, 95%CI 2.72–2.94). For exposure to PM2.5, we did not find toxicological risk (0.93 μg/kg.day, 95%CI 0.86–0.99). The toxicological risk for exposure to O3 was greater than 1 for all children (QR = 2.75; 95%CI 2.64–2.86). CONCLUSIONS Schoolchildren were exposed to high doses of O3 during the dry season of the region. This posed a toxicological risk, especially to those who had previous diseases

Efeito do extrato das folhas da Passiflora edulis na cicatrização da pele em ratos

Objective: To evaluate the effect of Passiflora edulis leaf extract on skin healing in rats, specially the lesion area and on fibroblast proliferation.Materials and method: Experi-mental study with 54 male adult Wistarrats equally divided into three groups. The induction of circular-shaped lesions in the dorso cervical region was performed with the aid of an 8 mm climbing punch. Control group lesions were daily cleaned with filtered water and neutral pH glycerinated vegetable soap. The order two groups, in addition to daily cleansing, received treatment with cream containing 20 % extract of Passiflora edulis leaves and base cream without this extract, respectively. On day 1, 4, 7 and 14 of treatment, images were obtained to calculate the lesion area. On day 4, 7 and 14 of treatment, specimens were collected for histolog-ical analysis.Results: No statistically signifi-cant differences were found between the experimental groups regarding the comparison of means of lesion area and fibroblast proliferation.Conclusion:Topical use of the 20 % extract of Passiflora edulis leaves had no effect on the affected area and the proliferation of fibroblasts on skin healing in rats.Objetivo: avaliar o efeito do extra-to das folhas da Passiflora edulis na cicatrização da pele em ratos, especi-ficamente na área da lesão e na proli-feração de fibroblastos.Materiais e método: estudo experimental realizado com 54 ratos da linhagem Wistar, machos, adultos, divididos igualmente em três grupos. A indução das lesões em formato circular na região dorso-cervical foi realizada com o auxílio de um punch trepano de 8 mm. As lesões do grupo de controle foram higienizadas diariamente com água filtrada e sabo-nete vegetal glicerinado de pH neutro. Os outros dois grupos, além da higie-nização diária, receberam tratamento com creme contendo extrato a 20 % das folhas da Passiflora edulis, e creme-base sem extrato a 20 % das folhas da Passiflora edulis, respectivamente. No 1º, 4º, 7º e 14º dia de tratamento foram obtidas imagens para cálculo da área de lesão. No 4º, 7º e 14º dia de tratamento foram coletados espéci-mes para análises histológicas.Resultados: não foram encon-tradas diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os grupos expe-rimentais com relação à comparação de médias da área de lesão e de proli-feração de fibroblastos.Conclusões: o uso tópico do extrato a 20 % das folhas da Passiflora edulis não apresentou efeito na área de lesão e na proliferação de fibroblas-tos na cicatrização da pele em ratosObjetivo: evaluar el efecto del extracto de hoja de Passiflora edulisen la curación de la piel en ratas, espe-cíficamente el área de la lesión y la proliferación de fibroblastos.Materiales y método: estu-dio experimental con 54 ratas Wistarmacho adultas, divididas por igual en tres grupos. La inducción de lesio-nes de forma circular en la región dorsocervical se realizó con la ayuda de un punzón de 8 mm. Las lesiones del grupo de control se limpiaron diariamente con agua filtrada y jabón vegetal glicerinado con pH neutro. Los otros dos grupos, además de la limpieza diaria, recibieron tratamien-to con crema que contenía un 20 % de extracto de hojas de Passiflora edulis y una crema base sin extracto, un 20 % de hojas de Passiflora edulis, respecti-vamente. Los días 1, 4, 7 y 14 de trata-miento, se obtuvieron imágenes para calcular el área de la lesión. Los días 4, 7 y 14 de tratamiento, se recolectaron muestras para análisis histológicos.Resultados:no se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente signifi-cativas entre los grupos experimen-tales con respecto a la comparación de las medias del área de la lesión y la proliferación de fibroblastos.Conclusiones: el uso tópico del extracto al 20 % de las hojas de Passi-flora edulis no tuvo efecto en el área de la lesión y la proliferación de fibroblas-tos en la curación de la piel en rata

Social, environmental, and epidemiological aspects of leprosy occurrence in children in a hyperendemic region of Brazil

Introduction This is a case-control study aiming to analyze the predictive factors for the occurrence of leprosy in contacts under 15 years of age, considering aspects related to the socio-environmental and epidemiological conditions in a hyperendemic municipality. Methods Cases (n = 30) consisted of children with leprosy who were household contacts of adults notified with leprosy between 2016 and 2018. The controls (n = 128) comprised neighborhood contacts, without symptoms of leprosy, living within a radius of less than 100 m of the households with cases. Demographic, social, environmental, and epidemiological variables were analyzed. The software SPSS, version 20, was used. Odds Ratio and statistical significance level of p ≤ 0.05 were considered for association analysis. In the logistic regression analysis, the variables with results ≤20% were selected. Results After adjustments, the predictive variables for the occurrence of leprosy were age between 8 and 14 years (OR adjust = 4.5; 95% CI: 1.70; 12.18) and a family history of leprosy (OR adjust = 5.2; 95% CI: 1.95; 14.13). Conclusions The predictive factors studied may favor the occurrence of leprosy in those most vulnerable to this disease in the child population; strategies such as the use of immune chemoprophylaxis are recommended, especially in hyperendemic regions, such as the state of Mato Grosso

Morbidity trend and space-time clusters of COVID-19 occurrence in children and adolescents

Objective: To analyze the morbidity trend and space-time distribution clusters of confirmed COVID-19 cases in children and adolescents. Method: An ecological study of COVID-19 cases confirmed in the Information System from 2020 to 2022 in the age group from 0 to 19 years old, residents in Mato Grosso municipalities, Brazilian Midwest region. A trend analysis of the monthly morbidity rate of cases/100,000 inhabitants was used, following Prais-Winsten's regression. A space-time distribution of the Bayesian incidence rate per 100,000 inhabitants was performed, in addition to a space-time scan to identify high-risk clusters. Results: Of all 79,592 COVID-19 cases studied, 51.6% were in females and 44.21% in people aged 15–19 years old. The mean monthly rate was 265.87 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, with a stationary trend in the period analyzed (Monthly Percentage Variation [MPV]) = 12.15; CI95%[MPV]: -0.73;26.70). The morbidity rate due to COVID-19 was higher in the female gender (283.14/100,000 inhabitants) and in the age group from 15 to 19 years old (485.90/100,000 inhabitants). An increasing trend was observed with a greater monthly time variation of 14.42% (CI95%[MPV]: 1.28;29.28)] among those aged from 10 to 14 years old. The primary cluster, which was also the one with the highest Relative Risk (RR = 5,16, p-value = 0.001), included 19 municipalities located in the North health macro-region. Conclusion: The findings indicated a monthly stationary trend in the study population, an increase in the age group from 10 to 14 years old, and areas at a higher risk for the disease in the North health macro-region of the state