Analysis of signs and symptoms in confirmed cases of severe dengue among children aged 0 to 10 years old.

OBJECTIVE: The prevalent symptoms of severe dengue in pediatric patients are divided into three subgroups: severe plasma leakage, severe bleeding, and severe organ damage. In addition, the seasonal patterns of the disease and the outcomes of cure or death from dengue were evaluated. METHODS: An epidemiological, observational, analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted with data from the Notifiable Disease Information System (SINAN - Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação and DATASUS - Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde) of the Ministry of Health from 2019 to 2020. RESULTS: During the study period, 1,857 cases of severe dengue were observed in the pediatric age group, with the most common symptoms being respiratory failure, melena, hematemesis, and altered level of consciousness. The total proportion of patients hospitalized for severe dengue was 89.6%, and 51.2% of these patients died, corroborating the importance of early detection of the disease. CONCLUSION: Severe dengue is more prevalent during the seasonal period, with hot and humid characteristics owing to the mechanism involved in the viral cycle. The most prevalent symptoms of severe dengue in pediatric patients were respiratory failure alone, gastrointestinal bleeding, and altered level of consciousness. It is important to identify signs of severity for early intervention and a better prognosis, considering that death is closely related to a delayed diagnosis.

Puzzling paracoccidioidomycosis: Factors associated with the severity of Paracoccidioides lutzii infections.

OBJECTIVES: Historically, the Brazilian Central-West region has had high numbers of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) cases caused by the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides lutzii. METHODS: This epidemiological, observational, analytical, cross-sectional study was performed to investigate the clinical and laboratory data of 44 PCM patients with a culture-proven P. lutzii infection. All patients were referred to the Systemic Mycosis Center, Júlio Muller University Hospital, Cuiabá, Brazil, during January 2017 to March 2020. The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was calculated and dichotomized by its median value to include in the identification of factors associated with severity. RESULTS: At admission, 13 (31.7%) patients showed the disseminated multifocal chronic form of PCM and 16 (36.4%) patients met the clinical severity criteria. Treatment prescribed on admission did not follow the recommendations of the Brazilian Guideline for the Clinical Management of Paracoccidioidomycosis in 26% of the severe PCM cases (prevalence ratio 0.26, 95% confidence interval 0.14-0.49; P < 0.0001). Patients with severe PCM had a higher NLR that was greater than the median (≥4.11). CONCLUSIONS: The NLR biomarker complements the criteria for PCM severity. Applying the low-cost NLR test can greatly increase the diagnostic sensitivity when screening patients for PCM and contribute to better control of the disease, management of complications, and therapeutic strategies.

Paracoccidioidomycosis due to P lutzii: The importance of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in the symptomatic and asymptomatic phases in severe cases.

BACKGROUND: PCM is a neglected systemic mycosis endemic in Brazil. The middle-west region of Brazil has shown the highest number of PCM by Paracoccidioides lutzii (P lutzii) cases. Differentiating cases of severe PCM from non-severe ones should be a concern at the bedside. Diagnosis of severe PCM by P lutzii is based on the subjectivity of clinical manifestations, which can result in a delay in starting its treatment and, consequently evolution to severe sequelae. There is not laboratory biomarker available to support the early diagnosis of severe PCM that is feasible for all the realities that coexist in Brazil. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of laboratory biomarkers as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in the diagnosis of severe PCM. PATIENTS/METHODS: ESR, CRP and NLR were analysed for 44 patients with PCM by P lutzii and a Receiver Operation Characteristic (ROC) curve were generated to identify the NLR cut-off point and point out the presence of severe PCM. RESULTS: Sixteen (36.4%) had severe PCM and 28 (63.6%) had non-severe PCM. The mean NLR was higher and statistically significant among patients with severe PCM than among those with non-severe PCM. The area under the ROC curve was 0.859 for the diagnosis of severe PCM. The cut-off point for NLR for the diagnosis of severe PCM was 3.318 (sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 77%). CONCLUSIONS: According to results, it is plausible to conclude that NLR represents a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of severe PCM.

Chronotype change in university students in the health area with excessive daytime sleepiness / Alteração do cronotipo em universitários da área da saúde com sonolência diurna excessiva

Abstract: Introduction: Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is characterized by an increased likelihood of initiating sleep at inappropriate times through involuntary naps and it negatively impacts performance in studies, work, family, and social relationships and increases the risk of accidents. Objective: This study evaluated the schedule and prevalence of EDS and its associated factors in medical students (using the PBL method), comparing it with students from other health courses (using the Traditional method). Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 1152 university students who were attending courses in the health area. The presence of EDS was defined when scores >10 in the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the chronotype was assessed by means of the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ). Using Stata 13.0 software, descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed, including interactions to fit the model. Results: The prevalence of EDS was 56.5% (95% CI, 53.6-59.4), and the mean ESS score was 11.1 (95% CI, 10.8-11.3). This value was lower among those who had morning chronotypes and was higher among medical students. 10.3% (n=119) of the students had a chronotype that was incompatible with the period of the course. The associated and independent factors for EDS were: female gender (PR, 1.14, 95% CI, 1.01-1.29), age between 16 and 19 years (PR, 1.20, 95% CI, 1.04-1.39), studying late at night and using cell phones before falling asleep (PR, 1.56, 95% CI, 1.02-2.38), not doing weekly physical activity (PR, 1.13, 95% CI, 1.02-1.25), and morning chronotype (PR, 0.87, 95% CI, 0.76-0.99). Not using cell phones before bedtime reduced the prevalence of EDS by 14%. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the morning chronotype behaved as an independent protective factor for disorders of the circadian cycle. Performing weekly physical activity reduces EDS among students with intermediate and evening chronotypes.

Resumo: Introdução: A sonolência diurna excessiva (SDE) é caracterizada por uma maior probabilidade de o indivíduo iniciar o sono em horários inadequados por meio de cochilos involuntários, afeta negativamente o desempenho nos estudos, no trabalho e nas relações familiares e sociais, e aumenta o risco de acidentes. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o cronotipo e a prevalência de SDE e seus fatores associados em estudantes de Medicina (método PBL). Para tanto, compararam-se os discentes de Medicina com os de outros cursos da área da saúde (método tradicional). Métodos: Trata-se de estudo transversal com 1.152 estudantes universitários matriculados em cursos de graduação da área da saúde. Definiu-se a presença de SDE quando se observaram escores > 10 na Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESE), e o cronótipo foi avaliado por meio do instrumento Morningness-eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ). Por meio do software Stata 13.0, realizaram-se estatística descritiva e análises bivariadas e multivariadas, além de interações para que o estudo pudesse se ajustar ao modelo. Resultados: A prevalência de SDE foi de 56,5% (IC 95%, 53,6-59,4), e a pontuação média na ESE foi de 11,1 (IC 95%, 10,8-11,3). Esse valor foi menor entre os que apresentaram cronotipo matutino e maior entre os estudantes de Medicina. Dos alunos que participaram do estudo, 10,3% (n = 119) apresentaram um cronotipo incompatível com o período do curso. Os fatores associados e independentes para a SDE foram: sexo feminino (RP, 1,14, IC 95%, 1,01-1,29), idade entre 16 e 19 anos (RP, 1,20, IC 95%, 1,04-1,39), hábito de estudar de madrugada, uso de celular antes de dormir (RP, 1,56, IC 95%, 1,02-2,38), não praticar atividade física semanal (RP, 1,13, IC 95%, 1,02-1,25) e cronótipo matutino (RP, 0,87, IC 95%, 0,76-0,99). Não usar telefones celulares antes de dormir reduziu a prevalência de SDE em 14%. Conclusões: Este estudo demonstrou que o cronotipo matutino se comportou como um fator protetor independente para distúrbios do ciclo circadiano. A prática de atividade física semanal reduziu a prevalência SDE entre universitários com cronotipos intermediário e noturno.

Exposure to pesticides and acute intoxication in a region of intense agricultural production in Mato Grosso, Brazil, 2013. / Exposição aos agrotóxicos e intoxicações agudas em região de intensa produção agrícola em Mato Grosso, 2013.

OBJECTIVE: to estimate the prevalence of acute poisoning by pesticides and associated factors in Mato Grosso, Brazil. METHODS: this was a cross-sectional study, the outcome of which was acute intoxication in the month prior to the interview, as diagnosed by a physician; multivariate analysis was performed using Poisson regression. RESULTS: we interviewed 753 individuals; acute intoxication occurred at a rate of 17%; the main associated factors were living near plantations (PR=2.81 - 95%CI 1.79;4.41), having incomplete high school education or less (PR=1.80 - 95%CI 1.22;2.71), living less than 500 meters from maize crops (PR=1.57 - 95%CI 1.05;2.35) and cotton plantations (PR=1.43 - 95%CI 1.02;2.02). CONCLUSION: Individuals living near to corn and cotton plantations reported higher occurrence of acute intoxication.

Epidemiological profile of patients hospitalized with candiduria in the Central-Western region of Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Candida yeasts are considered the main agents of nosocomial fungal infections. AIMS: This study aimed to establish the epidemiological profile of patients with candiduria hospitalized in the capital of the State of Mato Grosso, in the Central-Western region of Brazil. METHODS: Patients from three private hospitals and a public hospital participated in the study. This was an observational and cross-sectional study including analysis of patients mortality. It was carried out from March to August 2015. RESULTS: A total of 93 patients with candiduria were evaluated. Candida tropicalis was found most commonly (37.6%; n=35), followed by Candida albicans (36.6%; n=34), Candida glabrata (19.3%; n=18), psilosis complex (4.3%; n=4), Candida lusitaniae (1.1%; n=1) and Candida krusei (1.1%; n=1). Antibiotic therapy (100%) and the use of an indwelling urinary catheter (89.2%; n=83) were the most frequent predisposing factors. Antifungal treatment was given to 65.6% of the patients, and anidulafungin was the most used antifungal. Mortality rates were 48% higher among patients with candiduria who had renal failure. Micafungin was the antifungal most prescribed among the patients who died. Candidemia concomitant with candiduria occurred in eight (8.6%; n=8) cases. Considering the species recovered in the blood and urine, only one patient had genetically distinct clinical isolates. CONCLUSIONS: Non-C. albicans Candida species were predominant, with C. tropicalis being the most responsible for most cases of candiduria.

Clinical and epidemiological features of paracoccidioidomycosis due to Paracoccidioides lutzii.

BACKGROUND: The fungus Paracoccidioides lutzii was recently included as a new causative species of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) and most cases have been reported from Brazil. According to available epidemiological information, P. lutzii is concentrated in the Middle-West region in Brazil, mainly in the state of Mato Grosso. However, clinical and laboratorial data available on patients infected with P. lutzii remain extremely limited. METHODOLOGY/MAIN FINDINGS: This work describes the clinical manifestations of 34 patients suffering from PCM caused by P. lutzii, treated along 5 years (2011-2017) at a reference service center for systemic mycoses in Mato Grosso, Brazil. Adult rural workers (men), aged between 28 and 67 predominated. All patients had the chronic form of the disease, and the oral mucosa (n = 19; 55.9%), lymph nodes (n = 23; 67.7%), skin (n = 16; 47.1%) and lung (n = 28; 82.4%) were the most affected sites. Alcohol intake (n = 19; 55.9%) and smoking (n = 29; 85.3%) were frequent habits among the patients. No patient suffered from any other life-threatening disease, such as tuberculosis, cancer or other inflammatory or infectious parasitic diseases. The positivity in culture examination (97.1%) was higher than that found for the direct mycological examination (88.2%). Particularly, one patient presented fungemia at diagnosis, which lead to his death. The time elapsed between the initial symptoms and the initiation of treatment of PCM caused by P. lutzii was 19.7 (31.5) months, with most patients diagnosed 7 months after the symptoms' onset. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Compared with the classical clinical-epidemiological profile of PCM caused by P. brasiliensis, the results of this descriptive study did not show significant clinical or epidemiological differences that could be attributed to the species P. lutzii. Future studies may confirm or refute the existence of clinical differences between the two fungal species.

1340nm LASER THERAPY FOR ONYCHOMYCOSIS: Negative Results of Prospective Treatment of 72 Toenails and a Literature Review.

Onychomycosis is an infection of the nail plate by fungal microorganisms. This infection has an important social impact on women and men and poses a major challenge for its treatment. The traditional treatment of onychomycosis involves the use of topical and oral antifungal agents. However, the presence of adverse effects frequently associated with oral antifungals, their high cost, and their potential interactions with other drugs reflect some of the problems associated with conventional therapy. The current report details the evaluation of a 1340nm laser as monotherapy for toenails affected by onychomycosis. A 1340nm, neodymium-yttrium:yttrium-aluminum-perovskite (Nd:YAP) (e) laser (Etherea, Industra technologies, Brazil) was used with the following treatment parameters: a spot size of 6mm, pulse duration of 5ms, fluence of 22 to 25J/cm2, and repetition rate of 1.5 to 2.5Hz. In all, 72 toenails were evaluated in 30 patients who had clinical and laboratory confirmation of onychomycosis. The efficacy of treatment was measured by the degree of patient satisfaction on a scale of 0 to 10 and by mycological cure evidenced by direct mycological exam and culture. Considering three applications of laser therapy and a clinical/laboratory follow-up period of 12 weeks, monotherapy with 1340nm laser was not effective, since 93.3 percent of the assessed patients remained without clinical and mycological cure. Despite reports of variable success rates with the use of different lasers for the treatment of onychomycosis, it is not yet possible to state that this therapeutic alternative is indicated for the treatment of these infections, mainly due to the limited number of patients and/or nail plates evaluated and the controversial results described in the literature.

FACTORS RELATED TO ORAL CANDIDIASIS IN ELDERLY USERS AND NON-USERS OF REMOVABLE DENTAL PROSTHESES.

This study examined the association between oral candidiasis in elderly users and nonusers of prosthesis and its predisposing factors. To this end, we performed a cross-sectional study where saliva samples from 48 patients were collected they used prosthesis and 43 patients (control group) who did not use. Among the 91 patients, Candida spp were isolated in 40 (83.3%) who used prosthesis and in 23 (53.5%) in the control group. A statistically significant association was determined between the two groups, the isolation of yeasts and dental prosthesis (p < 0.05, OR = 4.3). The most common etiological agent was Candida albicans (37 isolates), with 23 (62.2%) in the denture group and 14 (37.8%) (control group). Among patients who presented clinical manifestations of oral candidiasis (n = 24), 83.3% (n = 20) belonged to the group that wore dentures, while only 16.7% (n = 4) belonged to the control group. Elderly patients with diabetes had 4.4 times higher estimated risk of developing oral candidiasis when compared with individuals without this condition. There was no statistically significant association between being user prostheses and have diabetes with the onset of candidiasis. No statistically significant association was determined between xerostomia, use of prosthesis and oral candidiasis. The use of prosthetics and poor oral hygiene in elderly patients predisposes to the development of oral candidiasis.

Six-year trend analysis of nosocomial candidemia and risk factors in two intensive care hospitals in Mato Grosso, midwest region of Brazil.

We conducted this cross-sectional retrospective study using clinical and laboratory data from two tertiary hospitals in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil, in order to explore the risk factors and estimate mortality, prevalence and lethality of candidemia between 2006 and 2011. A total of 130 episodes of candidemia were identified. The prevalence of candidemia was 1.8 per 1,000 admissions, the mortality rate was 0.9 per 1,000 admissions, and the lethality was 49.2 %. The main agent in this population was Candida parapsilosis (n = 50), followed by C. albicans (n = 45). Comparison between the numbers of episodes in the two triennia revealed that the non-albicans group grew by 48.2 %. The distribution of yeast species of Candida per hospital unit revealed that C. albicans was more prevalent than C. parapsilosis in the adult ICU and C. parapsilosis was more prevalent than C. albicans in the neonatal ICU. Patients remained hospitalized for an average of 53.5 days. Central venous catheters, parenteral nutrition and age were the variables that proved to be independent in the multivariate analysis and that maintained a statistically significant association with the incidence of death in patients with candidemia. The annual prevalence of candidemia showed a significant increase in the second triennium (2009-2011) compared with the first (2006-2008) probably due to increased exposure to risk factors: central venous catheter, H2 blockers, nutrition parenteral corticosteroids and mean hospital duration.