CÂNCER DE COLO DO ÚTERO, GENOTIPAGEM DO PAPILOMA VÍRUS HUMANO (HPV) EM MULHERES QUILOMBOLAS DE UM MUNICÍPIO BRASILEIRO: ACEITABILIDADE DA VACINA

O câncer de colo uterino é o segundo câncer feminino mais comum no Brasil. O papilomavírus humano (HPV) é causa necessária para seu desenvolvimento. A vacina surge como uma arma contra a infecção por HPV e, consequentemente, contra o câncer. Mas existem mais de 100 genótipos diferentes de HPV, que são divididos em baixo risco e alto risco, de acordo com o potencial oncogênico. Analisam-se os aspectos epidemiológicos e biomoleculares da infecção por HPV na mucosa genital de mulheres qui-lombolas, verificando a associação os achados citológicos e biomoleculares e observando a frequência do papilomavírus nessa população e de seus tipos, para avaliar a aplicabilidade da vacina na população em estudo. A população deste estudo é de 101 mulheres pertencentes à comunidade quilombola de Ju-çatuba, no estado do Maranhão. Foram coletadas amostras de mucosa genital, submetidas à pesquisa para a presença do HPV pela técnica de PCR Nested. As amostras positivas foram sequenciadas para fins de genotipagem viral. Em uma população predominante de mulheres em idade fértil, com parceiro fixo e baixo nível de escolaridade, verificou-se que 10 amostras da cérvice uterina foram positivas paraHPV, sendo 7 positivas para os tipos de alto risco. Mediante a presença dos tipos virais de alta oncoge-nicidade, observa-se a necessidade de implementação de condutas gestoras para redução do risco de aparecimento de câncer do colo do útero.Palavras-chave: Papilomavírus humano. Câncer. Colo uterino. Reação em cadeia da polimerase.CANCER OF THE CERVIX, GENOTYPING OF HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS (HPV) IN QUILOMBOLA WOMEN IN A BRAZILIAN CITY: ACCEPTABILITY OF THE VACCINE.ABSTRACT: Cervical cancer is the second most common female cancer in Brazil. The human papilloma-virus (HPV) is a need cause for its development. The vaccine appears as a weapon against HPV infection and therefore against cancer. But there are more than 100 different HPV genotypes, which are divided into low risk and high risk according to the oncogenic potential. To analyze the epidemiological and biomolecu-lar aspects of HPV infection in the genital mucosa of women Maroons, verifying the association cytological and molecular biological findings and noting the frequency of this population papillomavirus and its types, to evaluate the applicability of the vaccine in the study population. The study population was 101 women belonging to the maroon community of Juçatuba in the state of Maranhão. Genital mucosa samples were collected and submitted to search for the presence of HPV by PCR Nested. The positive samples were sequenced for the purpose of viral genotyping. In a predominant population of women of childbearing age, with a steady partner, and low level of education, it was found that 10 samples of uterine cervix were positive for HPV, with 7 positive for high-risk types. Through the presence of viral types of high tumorige-nicity, there is a need to implement management practices for reducing the risk of developing cancer of the cervix.KEYWORDS: Human Papillomavirus. Cancer. Cervix. Polymerase Chain Reaction.EL CÁNCER DEL CUELLO UTERINO, LA GENOTIPIFICACIÓN DEL VIRUS DEL PAPILOMA HUMANO (VPH) EN MUJERES QUILOMBOLAS EN UNA CIUDAD BRASILEÑA: LA ACEPTABILIDAD DE LA VACUNA.RESUMEN: El cáncer cervical es el segundo cáncer femenino más común en Brasil. El virus del papiloma humano (VPH) es la causa necesaria para su desarrollo. La vacuna se presenta como un arma contra la infección por VPH y, por tanto, contra el cáncer. Pero hay más de 100 genotipos diferentes de VPH, que se dividen en bajo riesgo y de alto riesgo de acuerdo con el potencial oncogénico. Analizar los aspectos epidemiológicos y biomoleculares de la infección por el VPH en la mucosa genital de la mujer cimarrones, la verificación de la citología asociación y hallazgos de biología molecular y tomando nota de la frecuen-cia de este virus del papiloma de la población y sus tipos, para evaluar la aplicabilidad de la vacuna en la población de estudio. La populación de estudio fue de 101 mujeres pertenecientes a la comunidad marrón de Juçatuba en el Estado de Maranhão. Se recogieron muestras de mucosa genital presentados para buscar la presencia de VPH por PCR anidada. Las muestras positivas se secuenciaron con el propósito de determinación del genotipo viral . RESULTADOS: En una población predominante de las mujeres en edad fértil, con una pareja estable, y el bajo nivel de la educación, se encontró que 10 muestras fueron positivas para el VPH cervical, 7 siendo positivo para los tipos de alto riesgo. A través de la presencia de tipos virales de alta tumorigenicidad, hay una necesidad de aplicar prácticas de gestión para reducir el riesgo de desarrollar cáncer de la cérvix.PALABRAS CLAVE: Virus del papiloma humano. Cáncer. Cérvix. Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa

Diversity and dynamics of airborne fungi in São Luis, State of Maranhão, Brazil

Introduction: This study aimed to identify airborne fungi in São Luis, Maranhão, Brazil, to determine the prevalent genera and to correlate these genera with the area and season. Methods: In total, 1,510 colony-forming units (CFUs) of airborne fungi were isolated from the north, south, east and west sides and from the center of the city from January to December 2007. The samples were collected on Petri dishes that were exposed to the fungi by the gravitational method. Results: Twenty genera of fungi were isolated; the most common were Aspergillus (33.5%), Penicillium (18.8%), Cladosporium (14.2%), Curvularia (10.6%) and Fusarium (7.6%). The CFUs of the fungi were statistically significant (p < 0.0001). Fungal biological diversity was present all year, without any large seasonal variations but with slight increases in May, August and September. Conclusions: The fungal genera identified in this study were correlated with natural systems and could be useful when evaluating the impact of environmental changes on the region

Eco-epidemiologic study of emerging fungi related to the work of babaçu coconut breakers in the State of Maranhão, Brazil

Introduction: There are more than 300,000 extractors using the baba&#231;u coconut as a source of income in the States of Maranh&#227;o, Par&#225;, Tocantins and Piau&#237;, and this activity is associated with fungal infections. The objective of this study was to examine the occurrence of emergent fungi in the conjunctiva, nails and surface and subcutaneous injuries of female coconut breakers in Esperantin&#243;polis, Maranh&#227;o. Additionally, soil samples and palm structures were collected. Methods: The obtained samples were cultured in Petri dishes containing potato-dextrose-agar and chloramphenicol. The etiological agent was confirmed by a direct mycological exam and growth in culture. Results: In total, 150 domiciles were visited, and samples were collected from 80 patients. From the ground, the most frequently isolated fungus was Aspergillus niger (53. 8%). the most frequently detected fungus in baba&#231;u coconut was Aspergillus niger (66.7%). Conjunctival fungal growth occurred in 76.3% of the women. The ocular fungal microbiota consisted of filamentous fungi (80.6%), and yeasts were present in 19.4% of cases. Onychomycosis was diagnosed in 44% (11/25) of the women. Conclusions: The identification of the genera Neosartorya, Rhizopus and Curvularia in onychomycoses shows that emergent filamentous fungi can be isolated. Aspergillus sp., Penicillium sp. and Scedosporium sp. were the predominant genera found in the baba&#231;u coconut. From ocular conjunctiva, Candida spp. were the most prevalent species isolated, and Fusarium sp. was present only in one woman. The nearly permanent exposure of coconut breakers to the external environment and to the soil is most likely the reason for the existence of a mycotic flora and fungal infections, varying according to the individual's practices and occupation

Prevalence of human papillomavirus infection among women from quilombo communities in northeastern Brazil

Abstract Background Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a member of the Papillomaviridae family. The prevalence of HPV genotypes may vary according to the region and the population studied. Quilombo communities are ethnic and racial groups with difficult access to health services compared to the general population in Brazil. The aim of this study was to identify specific HPV types correlating with sociodemographic/behavioral characteristics and cervical smear cytological abnormalities in Quilombola women. Methods This cross-sectional study included 395 Quilombola women users of the Unified Health System of the Municipalities of Maranhão for the screening of cervical cancer. The samples were analyzed for the presence of cytological abnormalities by conventional methods and tested for 37 HPV genotypes using polymerase chain reaction with primers PGMY09/11 followed by reverse line blot hybridization performed with the Linear Array HPV Genotyping Test kit by Roche Molecular System®. The association between HPV types and cytological diagnosis was investigated according to the different age groups. Results HPV infection was detected in 12.6% (50/395) of the women. Infections by high-risk HPV types were more frequent. Genotypes 68 (26.0%); 58 and 52 (20.0%); 31 (10.0%) and 62 (8.0%) were the most prevalent. The highest prevalence (42.0%) of HPV infection occurred in women diagnosed with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion. There was a statistically significant association between HPV infection and the detection of cytological abnormalities in all age groups except in women over 60 years. There was a statistically significant association between the municipality of origin and the number of partners with HPV infection. Conclusions It is important to incorporate new cervical cancer screening techniques incorporating the cervical-vaginal cytology. For further studies, it is necessary to determine the level of knowledge of Quilombola population on health-related issues including HPV infection and cervical cancer. This will contribute to the continuous improvement of healthcare coverage among the population and enhance the implementation of cancer care in the state of Maranhão

Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart) Consumption and Prevention of Chronic Diseases: Is There an Association? A Preliminary Study

Background. Flavonoids from a variety of fruits, including açaí, have beneficial antioxidant activity in several diseases, including cancer. Breast cancer is the second most prevalent cancer among Brazilian women. Studies have shown the action of flavonoids on neoplastic cells, as well as on diabetes and neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. Objective. To analyze the relationship between the consumption of açaí and the presence of chronic diseases in women residing in the rural area of São Luís, Maranhão. Methods. A convenience sample of 150 women residing in the Maracanã neighborhood in São Luís, Maranhão, was used; the collected data included sociodemographic characteristics, habits, sexual and reproductive history, consumption of açaí, and history of cancer and other chronic diseases. The sample was divided into women who consumed açaí at least once a week (cases) and women who did not consume açaí (controls). Statistical analysis was performed to assess the relationships between those variables and the consumption of açaí. Results. A total of 141 women (94%) consumed açaí. Among these, 79.3% were aged between 20 and 50 years, 78.67% were farmers or housewives, 64.67% were Pardo (mixed race), 76.67% were nonsmokers, 70% were not receiving hormonal therapy, 40.67% had already undergone mammography, 28% had already undergone breast ultrasound, and 27.33% had a family history of cancer, with breast cancer being the second most prevalent cancer. There was a higher prevalence of hypertension among women who did not consume açaí than that among those who did; however, previous cancer, family history of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes were more prevalent among the consumers of açaí. There were no statistically significant relationships. Conclusion. Flavonoids are known to have a beneficial effect on some types of neoplastic cells and other diseases; therefore, larger studies are necessary to better evaluate the beneficial effects of consuming foods containing flavonoids on these diseases

Osteoporosis in primary care: an opportunity to approach risk factors

AbstractIntroductionClimacteric women are susceptible to a number of changes, among them osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and susceptibility to fracture. Currently, this disease is a public health issue, being necessary to recognize its risk factors.ObjectivesIdentify risk factors related to osteoporosis in women attending PROPIS/PROEX/UFMA, tracing a socio-demographic characterization and considering community lifestyles.Material and methodsThis is a transversal retrospective clinical with a quantitative approach study conducted between March and June 2013 in São Luís-MA with 107 women treated at the Programa de Práticas de Integralidade em Saúde (PROPIS – Integrality Health Practice Program). The study was approved by the University Hospital Ethics Committee of UFMA under opinion no. 362/07. Data were tabulated and analyzed in the epidemiological Epi-Info® software, version 3.4.1.ResultsThe brown color was predominant, consensual relationships proved to be a protective factor and low education was a risk factor. The average age of the group with menopause was 54.1 years and without menopause was 31.3 years (p<0.0001). The average age of menopause was 43.7 years. The irregular menstrual cycle was a protective factor. The average number of pregnancies was 4.56 for the group with menopause and 2.45 for the group without menopause, with most births occurring normally (p<0.0001). Smoking, physical inactivity and caffeine intake were risk factors, while the absence of alcoholism and of soda intake were protective factors for the disease.ConclusionThe patients followed the socioeconomic and demographic profile of Maranhão. Most had menarche and menopause in appropriate periods, showed no positive family history of osteoporosis, did not usually drink alcohol, were sedentary and the caffeine intake was high