Seroprevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi in a population of pregnant women and evaluation of their knowledge about Chagas Disease and its vectors

This study aimed at determining prevalence of anti-Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies in pregnant women in the extreme south of Brazil and at evaluating their knowledge about Chagas Disease (CD) and its vectors. The study was carried out in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul (RS) state, Brazil. The Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay (CMIA) was used for the triage and, when it was reagent, results were confirmed by the Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA). A semi-structured questionnaire was applied to evaluate patients’ knowledge. The Chi-squared test was used for evaluating correlations among variables under study while an Odds Ratio was conducted when associations were statistically significant. Only 33 (27.7%) out of 119 pregnant women under investigation underwent the serological test to identify T. cruzi because the study was carried out in the worst phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, prevalence was 6.1% (2 cases). Only 26.9% of pregnant women were able to identify triatominae and 66.4% did not know that the heart could be affected by CD. Associations between variables “lived/have lived in a rural area” and “having found ‘kissing bugs’ in the household”; “high schooling level” and “knowing that CD causes heart disorders”; and “stating that they know what CD is” and “identifying triatominae” exhibited statistical significance. Results showed that the rate of positive pregnant women is high and needs attention, even though the size of the sample is a limiting factor. Besides, the patients’ lack of knowledge about the disease and its vectors shows the importance of educational interventions

Cartilha educativa para auxiliar no enfrentamento da doença de Chagas no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil / Educational booklet to help fight Chagas disease in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Introdução: As tecnologias educacionais em saúde são consideradas ferramentas inovadoras, capazes de fomentar a discussão e disseminação de conhecimentos sobre a doença de Chagas (DCH), estimulando assim, uma comunicação mais eficiente e acessível entre os sujeitos, através do estímulo ao autocuidado, proporcionando uma melhor qualidade de vida aos indivíduos acometidos pela DCH. Objetivo: Descrever o processo de construção e divulgação de cartilha educativa sobre a DCH para a população do extremo sul do Rio Grande do Sul (RS), visando a promoção da saúde e prevenção da moléstia e os seus vetores. Método: Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, metodológico, com foco descritivo no processo de elaboração de material educativo, e se apresenta o fluxograma empregado na sua elaboração. Resultado: produziu-se um instrumento elucidativo, ilustrado, disponível em cópias impressas e conteúdo digital, distribuído gratuitamente para a população. Constituído por frases, figuras e ilustrações no que concerne o combate e prevenção da doença. O material contou com 13 páginas e 9 ilustrações. Conclusão: Julga-se que a cartilha possui conteúdo informativo relevante, devendo ser considerada uma ferramenta auxiliadora no contexto das atividades educativas e na prática clínica, sendo capaz de sensibilizar a população alvo e contribuir no enfrentamento da DCH

Maternal Chlamydia trachomatis Infections and Preterm Births in a University Hospital in Vitoria, Brazil.

BACKGROUND:Preterm birth (PTB) is a major determinant of neonatal morbimortality with adverse consequences for health. The causes are multifactorial, with intrauterine infection probably explaining most of these outcomes. It is believed that infection with Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is also involved in PTB and premature rupture of membranes. OBJECTIVES:To evaluate the prevalence of and associated factors for CT among cases of PTB attended at a University Hospital in Vitoria, Brazil. METHODS:A cross-sectional study performed among parturient who had preterm birth from June 2012 to August 2013 in Vitoria, Brazil. Participants answered a questionnaire including demographic, behavioral, and clinical data. A sample of urine was collected and screened for CT using polymerase chain reaction. Chi-square tests were used for proportion differences and Student's-t tests and variance analysis were used for testing differences between mean values. Odds ratio was used as a measure of association with a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS:The prevalence of PTB during the period of the study was 26% and the prevalence of CT among them was 13.9%. A total of 31.6% pregnant women were younger than 25 years old and women infected by CT were even younger than women not infected by CT (p = 0.022). Most of them (76.2%) were married or had a living partner, and CT infection was more frequent among the single ones (p = 0.018); 16.7% of women reported their first sexual intercourse under 14 years old. The causes of prematurity were maternal-fetal in 40.9%; rupture of the membranes in 29.7% and premature labor in 29.4%. In multivariate analysis, being married was a protective factor for infection [OR = 0.48 (95%CI:0.24-0.97)]. None of the other characteristics were associated with CT infection. CONCLUSIONS:This study shows a high prevalence of CT infection among parturient who have preterm birth. This high prevalence highlight the need for defining screening strategies focused on young pregnant women in Brazil

Serological diagnosis of Chagas disease in HIV-infected patients

INTRODUCTION: This study assessed the rate of request for the serological diagnosis of Chagas disease among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients treated at the Specialized Care Service of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used secondary data obtained from the medical records of 252 patients aged between 18 and 75 years. RESULTS: The serological diagnosis of Chagas disease was requested only in 3.2% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate poor adherence to protocols on the part of healthcare professionals, indicating the need to reevaluate the procedures applied to HIV-infected patients from endemic regions for both diseases

Prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi/HIV coinfection in southern Brazil

Chagas disease reactivation has been a defining condition for acquired immune deficiency syndrome in Brazil for individuals coinfected with Trypanosoma cruzi and HIV since 2004. Although the first coinfection case was reported in the 1980s, its prevalence has not been firmly established. In order to know coinfection prevalence, a cross-sectional study of 200 HIV patients was performed between January and July 2013 in the city of Pelotas, in southern Rio Grande do Sul, an endemic area for Chagas disease. Ten subjects were found positive for T. cruzi infection by chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassay and indirect immunofluorescence. The survey showed 5% coinfection prevalence among HIV patients (95% CI: 2.0–8.0), which was 3.8 times as high as that estimated by the Ministry of Health of Brazil. Six individuals had a viral load higher than 100,000 copies per μL, a statistically significant difference for T. cruzi presence. These findings highlight the importance of screening HIV patients from Chagas disease endemic areas. Keywords: Chagas disease, Trypanosoma cruzi, AID

Clinical characteristics reported by parturient women delivering preterm babies in Vitoria, 2013 by Chlamydia trachomatis (n = 323).

<p>Clinical characteristics reported by parturient women delivering preterm babies in Vitoria, 2013 by Chlamydia trachomatis (n = 323).</p