Hearing impairment in patients with tuberculosis from Northeast Brazil

The aim of this paper is to describe the auditory profile of subjects who were given streptomycin treatment for tuberculosis in the years 2000 and 2001, in Recife, Northeast Brazil. The Injury Notification Database at the Municipal Department of Health was consulted and 78 individuals who had been on streptomycin during the period under study were selected. Forty-two individuals were excluded, of whom five were over 59 years of age and two were under 18 years. Nineteen turned out to be deceased, 13 could not be found, two were serving prison terms and one refused to participate. As a result, only 36 subjects participated in the study. These 36 individuals were interviewed and underwent meatoscopy and audiometry. The mean age of the group under study was 38.8 years old and males predominated (79.4%). Twenty-seven patients (75%) showed hearing impairment, the bilateral sensorineural type (63.9%) being the most frequent, mainly affecting the high frequencies over 4000 Hz. In the light of findings showing a high percentage of hearing impairment complaints among users of streptomycin, this issue seems to warrant an in-depth investigation, as does the implementation of an auditory follow-up routine for patients undergoing such chemotherapy for tuberculosis.Este trabalho teve por objetivo descrever o perfil auditivo de pessoas que realizaram tratamento para tuberculose com estreptomicina em Recife nos anos de 2000 e 2001. Para tal foi utilizado o banco de dados do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação, fornecido pela Secretária de Saúde deste município, sendo selecionadas 78 pessoas que usaram a droga no período em estudo. Do total de pacientes selecionados sete eram menores de 18 anos ou maiores de 58 anos, 19 haviam falecido, 13 não foram localizados, dois eram presidiários, um negou-se a participar, restando, pois 36 indivíduos que puderam ser submetidos a uma entrevista, a meatoscopia e a audiometria. No grupo estudado predominou o sexo masculino (79,4%) e a média das idades era de 38,8 anos. Dos 36 pacientes, 27 (75,0%) apresentaram alteração auditiva, sendo a mais freqüente a sensório-neural bilateral (63,9%), com predomínio de freqüências agudas, a partir de 4000 Hz. Os achados com elevados percentuais de alteração auditiva entre os usuários de estreptomicina, apontam para a necessidade de aprofundamento deste tema em outros estudos, e também sugerem a necessidade de estruturação de um sistema de monitoramento auditivo para a população de pacientes submetidos a esse quimioterápico no tratamento para tuberculose

Spatial analysis of the natural infection index for Triatomines and the risk of Chagas disease transmission in Northeastern Brazil

This study aimed to analyze the spatial pattern of natural infection index (NII) for triatomines and the risk of Chagas disease transmission in an endemic area of Northeastern Brazil. An ecological study was conducted, based on 184 municipalities in five mesoregions. The NII for triatomines was evaluated in the Pernambuco State, Brazil, from 2016 to 2018. Spatial autocorrelations were evaluated using Global Moran Index (I) and Local Moran Index (II) and were considered positive when I > 0 and p < 0.05, respectively. In total, 7,302 triatomines belonging to seven different species were detected. Triatoma brasiliensis had the highest frequency (53%; n = 3,844), followed by Triatoma pseudomaculata (25%; n = 1,828) and Panstrongylus lutzi (18.5%; n=1,366). The overall NII was 12%, and the higher NII values were P. lutzi (21%) and Panstrongylus megistus (18%). In the mesoregions of Zona da Mata, Agreste, Sertao, and Sertao do Sao Francisco, 93% of triatomines were detected indoors. The global spatial autocorrelation of I to NII was positive (0.2; p = 0.01), and II values calculated using BoxMap, MoranMap, Lisa Cluster Map were statistically significant for natural infections. With regard to the risk areas for the presence of triatomines, Zone 2 (the Agreste and Sertao regions) presented a relative risk of 3.65 compared to other areas in the state. Our study shows the potential areas of vector transmission of Chagas disease. In this study, the application of different methods of spatial analysis made it possible to locate these areas, which would not have been identified by only applying epidemiological indicators

Characterization of Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi in visceral leishmaniasis associated with hiv co-infection in Northeastern Brazil

Visceral leishmaniasis, associated with HIV/AIDS coinfection, is becoming a more aggressive disease, complicating an accurate prognosis. A 21-year-old HIV-positive female presenting with clinical features of visceral leishmaniasis was enrolled in this study. Bone marrow cytology, Novy-MacNeal-Nicolle culture and kDNA PCR of peripheral blood were all positive. Typing methods, multilocus enzyme electrophoresis and ITS1-RFLP PCR of peripheral blood confirmed infection by Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi . PCR has proved to be safer and more affordable than other characterization methods; ITS1-RFLP PCR can diagnose and type Leishmania spp. in both endemic and non-endemic areas, favoring the prognosis and allowing the appropriate treatment of patients

Mapping the morbidity and mortality of Chagas disease in an endemic area in Brazil

Chagas disease is among the 21 neglected diseases according to the World Health Organization. This study aimed to investigate the morbidity and mortality distribution of Chagas disease for identifying areas with greater prevalences and deaths of the disease in Northeast Brazil. A population-based ecological study was performed from 2016 to 2018 using data on acute Chagas disease patients from the Disease Notification Information System, chronic cases from the Chagas Disease and the referral Heart Failure Outpatient Clinic in Pernambuco, and Chagas disease-related mortality from the Mortality Information System. The unit of analysis were Pernambuco State mesoregions. The indicators were spatialized into thematic maps on the occurrence and mortality of the disease per 100,000 inhabitants. No cases of acute disease were reported in the period analyzed. Data on 801 chronic Chagas disease patients were analyzed. The population showed an average age of 62 years, with female predominance. The most prevalent comorbidity was systemic arterial hypertension and cardiologic involvement without ventricular dysfunction. The average chronic disease occurrence rate was 3.2/ 100,000 people/ year. As for deaths in the mortality system; in total, 350 deaths were recorded, showing male predominance, age ≥ 60 years, and chronic disease with cardiac involvement as the main mortality cause. The annual average mortality proportion was 1.6/100,000 people. The chronic case distribution showed spatial heterogeneity, with the highest rates of chronic disease and deaths observed in two mesoregions, with the main cause of death being heart-related. This highlights the need for more specialized services in areas with higher burden of the disease to avoid delay in the patients’ care

Estudo de caso de paciente com multiplos episodios da coinfeccao HIV-AIDS e leishmaniose visceral

SUMMARY Report of a 45-year-old male farmer, a resident in the forest zone of Pernambuco, who was diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in 1999 and treated using antiretroviral (ARV) drugs. In 2005, the first episode of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), as assessed by parasitological diagnosis of bone marrow aspirate, was recorded. When admitted to the hospital, the patient presented fever, hepatosplenomegaly, weight loss, and diarrhea. Since then, six additional episodes of VL occurred, with a frequency rate of one per year (2005-2012, except in 2008). In 2011, the patient presented a disseminated skin lesion caused by the amastigotes of Leishmania, as identified by histopathological assessment of skin biopsy samples. In 2005, he was treated with N-methyl-glucamine-antimony and amphotericin B deoxycholate. However, since 2006 because of a reported toxicity, the drug of choice was liposomal amphotericin B. As recommended by the Ministry of Health, this report emphasizes the need for HIV patients living in VL endemic areas to include this parasitosis in their follow-up protocol, particularly after the first infection of VL.RESUMO Relato de caso de paciente masculino de 45 anos, agricultor, residente na zona da mata do Estado de Pernambuco, diagnosticado com HIV em 1999 e em uso de ARV. Em 2005 foi registrada a primeira ocorrência de LV através do diagnóstico parasitológico a partir do aspirado da medula óssea. À admissão no hospital apresentava-se com febre, hepatoesplenomegalia, perda de peso e diarréia. Desde então houve a ocorrência de mais sete episódios de LV, tendo ocorrido em media, um evento a cada ano (2005-2012 exceto em 2008). O paciente apresentou, em 2011, um quadro cutâneo disseminado, sendo realizada biopsia de pele que evidenciou formas amastigotas de Leishmania no exame histopatológico. Em 2005, o tratamento foi realizado com antimoniato de N-metil-glucamina e anfotericina B desoxicolato, mas desde 2006, devido à toxicidade, o medicamento de escolha foi a anfotericina B lipossomal. Como recomendado pelo Ministério da Saúde, esse relato reforça a necessidade de que os casos de HIV residentes em área endêmica de LV deverão ter inserido em seu protocolo de acompanhamento essa parasitose, principalmente após o primeiro episódio

Spatial analysis of epidemiological and quality indicators of health services for leprosy in hyperendemic areas in Northeastern Brazil

Leprosy is a public health problem due to the physical disabilities and deformities it causes. This study aimed to describe new leprosy cases using an operational classification and analyzing spatial patterns by means of epidemiological and quality indicators of health services in Pernambuco State, Brazil, between 2005 and 2014. This was an ecological study performed in 184 municipalities grouped into 12 health regions units for analysis. To analyze spatial patterns, the Bayesian local empirical method and Moran’s spatial autocorrelation indicator were applied and box and Moran maps were used. Individuals aged ≥15 years old, grade zero physical disability and complete remission as the treatment outcome were predominant in both paucibacillary and multibacillary cases, the only difference was the predominance of females (n=9,286; 63.00%) and males (n=8,564; 60.70%), respectively. These variables were correlated (p<0.05) with the operational classification. The overall detection rate showed three high-priority areas; the indicator rate of grade 2 physical disability revealed clusters in regions IV, V, and VI; and the indicator rate of cases with some degree of disability showed precarious municipalities in seven health regions. Pernambuco maintains an active chain of transmission and ongoing endemicity of leprosy. Therefore, spatial analysis methods allow the identification of priority areas for intervention, thereby supporting the disease elimination strategy

Contaminação por ovos de Toxocara sp. em solo no município de Moreno, Estado de Pernambuco, Brasil

A contaminação do solo por ovos de Toxocara sp. é um importante fator de risco que favorece o surgimento da toxocaríase humana. A infecção se dá através da ingestão destes ovos, embrionados, presentes na água, alimentos ou mãos contaminadas. O risco da infecção é maior em crianças. O objetivo desse trabalho é determinar a ocorrência de contaminação do solo por ovos de Toxocara sp. na localidade Cidade Evangélica dos Órfãos, pertencente ao município de Moreno-PE, que apresenta casos humanos com sorologia positiva, condições ambientais e sócio-econômicas que favorecem a manutenção do ciclo do Toxocara. Para tal, foram coletadas, por raspagem superficial, 25 amostras de solo, com cerca de 500 g cada. As amostras foram submetidas à técnica de centrífugo-flutuação em solução de sulfato de zinco a 33%, sendo confeccionadas cinco lâminas por amostra para pesquisa de ovos em microscópio óptico. Das 25 amostras analisadas, 12% estavam contaminadas com ovos de Toxocara sp. Esses dados demonstram que nesta localidade seus habitantes correm o risco de contrair toxocaríase, requerendo a adoção de medidas que evitem a transmissão entre os animais e entre estes e o homem.The contaminated soil with Toxocara sp. eggs is an important factor of risk to development of the zoonotic disease. Human infection is acquired by ingestion of embryonated Toxocara sp. eggs with contaminated water, food and also with dirt hands contaminated too. Usually Toxocara sp. infected dogs and cats, but sometimes humans can be affected, mainly children, causing visceral larva migrans. The goal of this study was determine the prevalence of Toxocara eggs in the sand of the locality Cidade Evangelica dos orfaos, Moreno County, northeast of Brazil. Twenty-five soil samples were collected and analyzed by centrifugal flotation technique by using zinc sulfate solution at 33%. The analysis of soil samples showed 12% (3/25) of some contamination level of sand by Toxocara sp eggs. As human can be infect by accidental ingestion of embryonated Toxocara eggs, the results of this research suggest the adoption of measures who prevent the transmission of this zoonotic disease

Optimization of single-tube nested PCR for the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis

Submitted by Kamylla Nascimento ([email protected]) on 2017-12-14T13:14:58Z No. of bitstreams: 1 art. Optimization of single-tube - silva.pdf: 493304 bytes, checksum: 5e55f7d9bc8bfa9fdf6d8d7b5ed092e9 (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Kamylla Nascimento ([email protected]) on 2017-12-14T13:32:02Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 art. Optimization of single-tube - silva.pdf: 493304 bytes, checksum: 5e55f7d9bc8bfa9fdf6d8d7b5ed092e9 (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2017-12-14T13:32:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 art. Optimization of single-tube - silva.pdf: 493304 bytes, checksum: 5e55f7d9bc8bfa9fdf6d8d7b5ed092e9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Aggeu Magalhães. Laboratório de Doenças Transmissíveis. Recife, PE, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Aggeu Magalhães. Laboratório de Doenças Transmissíveis. Recife, PE, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Aggeu Magalhães. Laboratório de Doenças Transmissíveis. Recife, PE, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Aggeu Magalhães. Laboratório de Doenças Transmissíveis. Recife, PE, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Aggeu Magalhães. Laboratório de Doenças Transmissíveis. Recife, PE, Brasil.Conventional nested PCR is a very sensitive and specific method for the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis. However, this type of PCR is notorious for contamination problems related to the processing of the product between the first and the second PCR steps. In order to have a PCR method that is just as efficient but without the risk of contamination, we attempted the optimization of a single-tube nested PCR (STNPCR) method. During the first and the second PCR steps, we used the small subunit of ribosomal RNA (ssu rRNA) and the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) as targets, respectively. The performances of STNPCR and nested PCR in detecting the DNA of Leishmania chagasi were compared. In the case of STNPCR, the inner primers were immobilized on the interior of the tube cap by means of adsorption microtubes and then were solubilized before the second reaction. This procedure eliminated the need to open the microtube, which could have led to false-positive results through cross-contamination. The detection limit for the purified L. chagasi DNA was 1 fg by using nested PCR and 10 fg by using STNPCR. We also tested the specificity of the system against other parasites, and observed that Trypanosoma cruzi DNA was amplified with a detection limit of up to 1 pg. This study not only presents a promising tool for the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis, but also provides a new tool for the diagnosis of Chagas disease, either in mono-infection by T. cruzi or in co-infection with Leishmania spp