Pooling of sputum samples to increase tuberculosis diagnostic capacity in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed whether combining (pooling) four individual's samples and testing with Xpert Ultra has the same accuracy as testing samples individually as a more efficient testing method. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of individuals with presumptive tuberculosis attending primary health care or general hospital facilities in Alagoas, Brazil. The sputum samples of four consecutive individuals were pooled and the pool and individual samples were tested with Xpert Ultra. The agreement of the tests was compared using kappa statistics. We estimated the sensitivity and specificity of pooling using the individual test as the reference standard and potential cartridge savings. RESULTS: A total of 396 participants were tested. A total of 95 (24.0%) individual samples were Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)-positive, 300 (75.8%) "MTB not detected", including 20 "MTB trace", and one reported an error. A total of 99 pools of four samples were tested, of which 62 (62.6%) had MTB detected and 37 (37.4%) MTB not detected, including six (6.1%) with MTB trace. The agreement between individual and pooled testing was 96.0%. Pooling had a sensitivity of 95.0% (95% confidence interval 86.9-99%), specificity of 97.1% (95% confidence interval 85.1-99.9%), and kappa of 0.913. The method saved 12.4% of cartridge costs. CONCLUSION: The pooled testing of specimens had a high level of agreement with individual testing. The pooling of samples for testing improves the efficiency of testing, potentially enabling the screening and testing of larger numbers of individuals more cost-effectively.

Prematuridade em um hospital de referência ao parto de alto risco / Prematurity in a hospital of reference to high risk children

Este estudo objetivou investigar a prevalência de partos prematuros em hospital de referência para partos de alto risco e verificar a associação de fatores maternos (demográficos, socioeconômicos, comportamentais e obstétricos) com a prematuridade. Estudo descritivo analítico transversal prospectivo e quantitativo, com amostra populacional de 489 puérperas, conduzido por entrevista, durante seis meses. As análises descritivas utilizaram o Teste de Fisher para associação e regressão logística para análises multivariadas. A prevalência de prematuridade foi de 11,65%, significativamente maior em mães solteiras (40,4%), com menos de nove anos de estudo (40,4%), que pertencem à classe econômica C (47,4%), usuárias de drogas (12,17%), sedentárias (12,93%), hipertensas (16,67%) e que foram internadas (17,82%) ou tiveram sangramento vaginal durante a gestação (25,58%). Uso de drogas (p = 0,001) e sangramento vaginal (p = 0,010) foram considerados preditores maternos para prematuridade.

To investigate the prevalence of premature births in a referral hospital for high-risk births and to verify the association of maternal factors (demographic, socioeconomic, behavioral, and obstetric) with prematurity. Descriptive cross-sectional prospective and quantitative study, with a population sample of 489 mothers, conducted by interview, for six months. The descriptive analyzes used the Fisher Test for association and logistic regression for multivariate analyzes. The prevalence of prematurity was 11.65%, significantly higher in single mothers (40.4%), with less than nine years of study (40.4%), who belong to economic class C (47.4%), drug users (12.17%), sedentary (12.93%), hypertensive (16.67%) and who were hospitalized (17.82%) or had vaginal bleeding during pregnancy (25.58%). Drug use (p = 0.001) and vaginal bleeding (p = 0.010) were considered maternal predictors of prematurity.

Tuberculosis: health care and surveillance in prisons / Tuberculosis: control y asistencia a la salud en prisiones / Tuberculose: vigilância e assistência à saúde em prisões

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify tuberculosis-related health care and surveillance actions in Prison Health Units. Method: Cross-sectional study, of quantitative, exploratory and descriptive character. We visited 13 Teams of Prison Health, and nurses and technicians were interviewed regarding epidemiological surveillance instruments, physical structure and materials. Results: Search for respiratory symptoms in admission was reported by 6 (46.2%) of the teams, and the smear microscopy was the most requested test. The Logbook of Respiratory Symptoms and the Logbook for Monitoring Tuberculosis Cases were used in 7 (53.8%) institutions. Two of them (15.4%) had a location for sputum collection and 1 (7.7%) had a radiographer. The Directly Observed Therapy was reported in 7 (53.8%) units. Conclusion: Health care actions related to the search for respiratory symptoms and Directly Observed Therapy should be expanded, as well as surveillance actions and recording in official documents of the National Tuberculosis Control Program.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Identificar acciones asistenciales y de control de la tuberculosis en Unidades de Salud en Prisiones. Método: Estudio transversal, de tipo cuantitativo, exploratorio y descriptivo. Se visitaron a 13 equipos de Salud en Prisiones, de los cuales participaron enfermeros y técnicos de enfermería de una entrevista sobre los instrumentos de control epidemiológico, la estructura física local y los materiales. Resultados: La búsqueda de sintomáticos respiratorios durante la admisión fue relatada por 6 (un 46,2%) equipos, siendo la baciloscopía el examen más solicitado. El Libro de Registro de Sintomáticos Respiratorios y el Libro de Registro de Seguimiento de los casos de Tuberculosis son utilizados en 7 (un 53,8%) instituciones. Dos (un 15,4%) de ellas contaban con un local para recolección de esputo y 1 (un 7,7%) tiene radiógrafo. El Tratamiento Directamente Observado se mencionó en 7 (un 53,8%) unidades. Conclusión: Las acciones asistenciales relacionadas con la búsqueda de sintomáticos respiratorios y el Tratamiento Directamente Observado deberían ser ampliadas, así como las acciones de control y registro en los documentos oficiales del Programa Nacional de Control de la Tuberculosis.

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar ações assistenciais e de vigilância relacionadas à tuberculose em Unidades de Saúde Prisional. Método: Estudo transversal, de caráter quantitativo, exploratório e descritivo. Foram visitadas 13 Equipes de Saúde Prisional e entrevistados enfermeiros e técnicos de enfermagem com relação à instrumentos de vigilância epidemiológica, estrutura física e materiais. Resultados: A busca de sintomáticos respiratórios na admissão foi relatada por 6(46,2%) equipes, sendo a baciloscopia o exame mais solicitado. O Livro de Registro de Sintomáticos Respiratórios e o Livro de Registro de Acompanhamento dos Caso de Tuberculose eram utilizados em 7(53,8%) instituições. Duas (15,4%) apresentavam local para coleta de escarro e 1(7,7%) possuía radiógrafo. O Tratamento Diretamente Observado foi referido em 7(53,8%) unidades. Conclusão: As ações assistenciais relacionadas à busca de sintomáticos respiratório e Tratamento Diretamente Observado deveriam ser ampliadas, bem como as ações de vigilância e registro nos documentos oficiais do Programa Nacional de Controle da Tuberculose.

Tuberculosis: health care and surveillance in prisons.

OBJECTIVE: To identify tuberculosis-related health care and surveillance actions in Prison Health Units. METHOD: Cross-sectional study, of quantitative, exploratory and descriptive character. We visited 13 Teams of Prison Health, and nurses and technicians were interviewed regarding epidemiological surveillance instruments, physical structure and materials. RESULTS: Search for respiratory symptoms in admission was reported by 6 (46.2%) of the teams, and the smear microscopy was the most requested test. The Logbook of Respiratory Symptoms and the Logbook for Monitoring Tuberculosis Cases were used in 7 (53.8%) institutions. Two of them (15.4%) had a location for sputum collection and 1 (7.7%) had a radiographer. The Directly Observed Therapy was reported in 7 (53.8%) units. CONCLUSION: Health care actions related to the search for respiratory symptoms and Directly Observed Therapy should be expanded, as well as surveillance actions and recording in official documents of the National Tuberculosis Control Program.

Hepatitis C: evaluation of outcomes and georeferencing of cases in Santa Cruz do Sul, Brazil, between 2002 and 2015. A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus infection is one of the main causes of chronic liver disease, with high death rates. The aim here was to analyze case outcomes, sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and spatial distribution among patients diagnosed with hepatitis C in the city of Santa Cruz do Sul (RS), Brazil. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study on 200 cases of hepatitis C in Santa Cruz do Sul that were notified between 2002 and 2015. METHODS: Secondary data including sociodemographic and clinical variables and type of outcome (death, follow-up, abandonment or clinical cure) were gathered. The spatial distribution analysis on hepatitis C virus cases according to outcome was based on information regarding residential address. RESULTS: 58.5% of the patients were 41 years of age and over, 67% were males and 92.5% had the chronic form of the disease. The most frequent transmission route was illicit drug injection (29%); 15.1% of the patients presented coinfection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Regarding outcomes, 31% achieved clinical cure, 10% died and 20% abandoned follow-up. The cases studied were mainly located in regions of the city characterized by lower socioeconomic status, with high frequency of places used for drug trafficking. CONCLUSION: The population consisted of adults aged 41 years and over, mostly with chronic hepatitis C. The most common transmission routes were illicit drug injection and blood transfusions. There were high rates of HIV coinfection and abandonment of disease monitoring and predominance of cases in neighborhoods with low socioeconomic status.

Hepatitis C: evaluation of outcomes and georeferencing of cases in Santa Cruz do Sul, Brazil, between 2002 and 2015. A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus infection is one of the main causes of chronic liver disease, with high death rates. The aim here was to analyze case outcomes, sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and spatial distribution among patients diagnosed with hepatitis C in the city of Santa Cruz do Sul (RS), Brazil. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study on 200 cases of hepatitis C in Santa Cruz do Sul that were notified between 2002 and 2015. METHODS: Secondary data including sociodemographic and clinical variables and type of outcome (death, follow-up, abandonment or clinical cure) were gathered. The spatial distribution analysis on hepatitis C virus cases according to outcome was based on information regarding residential address. RESULTS: 58.5% of the patients were 41 years of age and over, 67% were males and 92.5% had the chronic form of the disease. The most frequent transmission route was illicit drug injection (29%); 15.1% of the patients presented coinfection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Regarding outcomes, 31% achieved clinical cure, 10% died and 20% abandoned follow-up. The cases studied were mainly located in regions of the city characterized by lower socioeconomic status, with high frequency of places used for drug trafficking. CONCLUSION: The population consisted of adults aged 41 years and over, mostly with chronic hepatitis C. The most common transmission routes were illicit drug injection and blood transfusions. There were high rates of HIV coinfection and abandonment of disease monitoring and predominance of cases in neighborhoods with low socioeconomic status.

Tuberculosis among prison staff in Rio Grande do Sul.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the risk of infection and illness caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis among health care and security staff in prisons in two regions of Rio Grande do Sul (RS). METHOD: cross-sectional study involving prison staff. An interview and sputum smear microscopy and culture were performed. Latent infection was evaluated according to the result of the tuberculin test (TT), self-referred. RESULTS: among staff who had a TT, 10 (83.3%) in the central region and 2 (16.7%) in the southern region were considered reactors. Length of employment among prison officers who reacted to TT was 15.3 years, and among health care workers, 4.1 years (p = 0.01). No cases of active tuberculosis (TB) were identified. CONCLUSION: prevalence of latent TB was 27.9%. Length of employment between different professional categories and their working regions was considered a risk factor for latent TB.

Tuberculosis among prison staff in Rio Grande do Sul / Tuberculosis entre los profesionales de las prisiones en Rio Grande do Sul / Tuberculose entre profissionais de penitenciárias do Rio Grande do Sul

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate the risk of infection and illness caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis among health care and security staff in prisons in two regions of Rio Grande do Sul (RS). Method: cross-sectional study involving prison staff. An interview and sputum smear microscopy and culture were performed. Latent infection was evaluated according to the result of the tuberculin test (TT), self-referred. Results: among staff who had a TT, 10 (83.3%) in the central region and 2 (16.7%) in the southern region were considered reactors. Length of employment among prison officers who reacted to TT was 15.3 years, and among health care workers, 4.1 years (p = 0.01). No cases of active tuberculosis (TB) were identified. Conclusion: prevalence of latent TB was 27.9%. Length of employment between different professional categories and their working regions was considered a risk factor for latent TB.

RESUMEN Objetivo: evaluar el riesgo de infección y de la enfermedad por Mycobacterium tuberculosis entre los profesionales de la salud y seguridad en los centros penitenciarios en dos regiones del estado de Rio Grande do Sul (RS). Método: estudio transversal con la participación de profesionales de la prisión. Se llevó a cabo una entrevista, la baciloscopia y cultivo de esputo. La infección latente se evaluó de acuerdo con el resultado de la prueba de la tuberculina (TST) mediante auto-reporte. Resultados: entre los trabajadores que realizaron la TST en la región central, 10 (83,3%) fueron considerados reactores; y 2 (16,7%) en la región Sur. El tiempo de trabajo entre los agentes de la prisión con reacción a la TST fue de 15,3 años, y entre los trabajadores de la salud fue de 4,1 años (p = 0,01). No hubo casos identificados de la tuberculosis (TB) activa. Conclusión: la prevalencia de la TB latente fue del 27,9%. El tiempo de trabajo entre las diferentes categorías profesionales y la región en la que trabajan fueron considerados factores de riesgo para la TB latente.

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar o risco de infecção e adoecimento por Mycobacterium tuberculosis entre profissionais de saúde e de segurança em casas penitenciárias de duas regiões do Rio Grande do Sul (RS). Método: estudo transversal, envolvendo profissionais de penitenciárias. Foi realizada uma entrevista, baciloscopia e cultura de escarro. A infecção latente foi avaliada de acordo com o resultado do teste tuberculínico (TT), auto-referido. Resultados: entre os trabalhadores que realizaram o TT na região central, 10 (83,3%) foram considerados reatores; e na região sul, 2 (16,7%). O tempo de trabalho entre os agentes penitenciários reatores ao TT foi 15,3 anos e entre os trabalhadores da saúde 4,1 anos (p = 0,01). Não foram identificados casos de Tuberculose (TB) ativa. Conclusão: a prevalência de TB latente foi 27,9%. O tempo de trabalho entre as diferentes categorias profissionais e a região em que trabalham foram considerados fator de risco para TB latente.