Blood parasite load by qPCR as therapeutic monitoring in visceral leishmaniasis patients in Brazil: a case series study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to describe the kinetics of Leishmania parasite load determined using kinetoplast DNA (kDNA)-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in visceral leishmaniasis (VL) patients. METHODS: Parasite load in blood was assessed by qPCR at five time points, up to 12 months post-diagnosis. Sixteen patients were followed up. RESULTS: A significant reduction in the parasite load was observed after treatment (P < 0.0001). One patient had an increased parasite load 3 months post-treatment and relapsed clinically at month six. CONCLUSIONS: We have described the use of kDNA-based qPCR in the post-treatment follow-up of VL cases.

Blood parasite load by qPCR as therapeutic monitoring in visceral leishmaniasis patients in Brazil: a case series study

ABSTRACT Background: This study aimed to describe the kinetics of Leishmania parasite load determined using kinetoplast DNA (kDNA)-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in visceral leishmaniasis (VL) patients. Methods: Parasite load in blood was assessed by qPCR at five time points, up to 12 months post-diagnosis. Sixteen patients were followed up. Results: A significant reduction in the parasite load was observed after treatment (P < 0.0001). One patient had an increased parasite load 3 months post-treatment and relapsed clinically at month six. Conclusions: We have described the use of kDNA-based qPCR in the post-treatment follow-up of VL cases.

Asymptomatic Leishmania infection in HIV-positive outpatients on antiretroviral therapy in Pernambuco, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in HIV-positive individuals is a global health problem. HIV-Leishmania coinfection worsens prognosis and mortality risk, and HIV-Leishmania coinfected individuals are more susceptible to VL relapses. Early initiation of antiretroviral therapy can protect against Leishmania infection in individuals living in VL-endemic areas, and regular use of antiretrovirals might prevent VL relapses in these individuals. We conducted a cross-sectional study in Petrolina, Brazil, an VL-endemic area, to estimate the prevalence of asymptomatic Leishmania cases among HIV-positive outpatients. METHODS: We invited any HIV-positive patients, aged ≥ 18-years-old, under antiretroviral therapy, and who were asymptomatic for VL. Patients were tested for Leishmania with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA)-rK39, immunochromatographic test (ICT)-rK39, direct agglutination test (DAT), latex agglutination test (KAtex), and conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). HIV-Leishmania coinfection was diagnosed when at least one VL test was positive. RESULTS: A total of 483 patients were included. The sample was predominantly composed of single, < 48-years-old, black/pardo, heterosexual males, with fewer than 8 years of schooling. The prevalence of asymptomatic HIV-Leishmania coinfection was 9.11% (44/483). HIV mono-infected and HIV-Leishmania coinfected groups differed statistically significantly in terms of race (p = 0.045), marital status (p = 0.030), and HIV viral load (p = 0.046). Black/pardo patients, married patients, and those with an HIV viral load up to 100,000 copies/ml presented higher odds for HIV-Leishmania coinfection. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable number of asymptomatic Leishmania cases were observed among HIV-positive individuals in a VL-endemic area. Given the potential impact on transmission and health costs, as well as the impact on these coinfected individuals, studies of asymptomatic Leishmania carriers can be useful for guiding public health policies in VL-endemic areas aiming to control and eliminate the disease.

Ocorrência e perfil bacteriano de culturas coletadas em pacientes internados na unidade de terapia intensiva em um hospital terciário / Occurrence and bacterial profile of cultures collected from pa-tients admitted to the intensive care unit at a tertiary hospital

Introdução: O ambiente da UTI é considerado o foco das infecções relacionadas à assistência à saúde (IRAS). Isso deve-se a particularidades desse ambiente como a utilização de dispositivos invasivos, uso de imunossupressores, período de internação prolongado, colonização por micro-organismos resistentes, prescrição de antimicrobianos e a própria característica do ambiente da UTI, além da condição clínica do paciente. O conhecimento do perfil bacteriano de cada cultura norteia a equipe médica no tratamento inicial das infecções. Objetivo: O objetivo desse trabalho foi verificar a ocorrência e o perfil bacteriano presente em pacientes internados na UTI de um hospital universitário. Material e métodos: O estudo foi realizado através da análise de exames de secreções traqueais, hemoculturas e uroculturas de pacientes internados no período de janeiro a junho de 2018. Os dados foram coletados por meio de impressos laboratoriais do próprio serviço e tabulados na planilha do Excel®, sendo divididos em amostras positivas e negativas, e realizada análise descritiva com valores absolutos e percentuais. Resultados: Em geral, as bactérias de maior ocorrência foram Acinetobacter baumannii (20,3%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (19,7%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (15,1%), Staphylococcus aureus (11,9%), Staphylococcus coagulase negativa (7,2%) e Escherichia coli (5,7%). As espécies bacterianas com maior resistência foram Acinetobacter baumanni, Klebisiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Eschericia coli, Serratia marcencens e Enterobacter cloacae. Conclusão: Os dados deste trabalho permitem o conhecimento do perfil bacteriano encontrado nos pacientes internados, o que poderá nortear o tratamento das infecções e consequentemente diminuir a seleção de bactérias multirresistentes, auxiliando na prevenção e no controle das infecções hospitalares.

Introduction: The ICU environment is considered the focus of Healthcare-related health related infections (IRAS). This is due to the particularities of this environment such as the use of invasive devices, use of immunosuppressants, prolonged hospitalization, colonization by resistant microorganisms, antimicrobial prescribing and the very characteristic of the ICU environment, in addition to the clinical condition of the patient. Knowledge of the bacterial profile of each culture guides the medical team in the initial treatment of infections. Objective: The objective of this study was to verify the incidence incidence and the bacterial profile present in ICU patients of a University Hospital. Material and methods: The study was performed through the analysis of tracheal secretions, blood cultures and urocultures examinations of patients hospitalized from January to June 2018. Data were collected by means of laboratory forms of the service and tabulated in Excel spreadsheet. ®, being divided into positive and negative samples, and a descriptive analysis was performed with absolute and percentage values. Results: In general, the most commonly occurring bacteria were Acinetobacter baumannii (20.3%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa(19.7%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (15.1%), Staphylococcus aureus (11.9%), Staphylococcus negative coagulase (7.2%) and Escherichia coli (5.7%). The most resistant bacterial species were Acinetobacter baumanni, Klebisiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Eschericia coli, Serratia marcencens andEnterobacter cloacae.Conclusion: The data from this study allow the knowledge of the bacterial profile found in hospitalized patients, which may guide the treatment of infections and consequently decrease the selection of multidrug resistant bacteria, helping in the prevention and control of nosocomial infections.