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Glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PDd) was suggested as a risk factor for severe disease in patients with COVID-19. We evaluated clinical outcomes and glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity during and after illness in patients with COVID-19. This prospective cohort study included adult participants (≥ 18 years old) who had clinical and/or radiological COVID-19 findings or positive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction results. Epidemiological and clinical data were extracted from electronic medical records. Glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase activity was measured using SD Biosensor STANDARD G6PD® equipment on admission and 1 year after discharge. Samples were genotyped for the three most common single nucleotide polymorphisms for G6PDd in the Brazilian Amazon. Seven hundred fifty-three patients were included, of whom 123 (16.3%) were G6PD deficient. There was no difference between groups regarding the risks of hospitalization (P = 0.740) or invasive mechanical ventilation (P = 0.31), but the risk of death was greater in patients with normal G6PD levels (P = 0.022). Only 29 of 116 participants (25%) carried the African G6PDd genotype. Of 30 participants tested as G6PD deficient during disease, only 11 (36.7%) results agreed 1 year after discharge. In conclusion, this study does not demonstrate an association of G6PDd with severity of COVID-19. Limitations of the test for detecting enzyme levels during COVID-19 illness were demonstrated by genotyping and retesting after the disease period. Care must be taken when screening for G6PDd in patients with acute COVID-19.
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COVID-19 , Deficiência de Glucosefosfato Desidrogenase , Glucosefosfato Desidrogenase , SARS-CoV-2 , Adulto , Idoso , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Brasil/epidemiologia , COVID-19/epidemiologia , Genótipo , Glucosefosfato Desidrogenase/genética , Glucosefosfato Desidrogenase/metabolismo , Deficiência de Glucosefosfato Desidrogenase/epidemiologia , Deficiência de Glucosefosfato Desidrogenase/genética , Hospitalização , Polimorfismo de Nucleotídeo Único , Estudos Prospectivos , Fatores de Risco , SARS-CoV-2/genéticaRESUMO
Oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) is a swallowing disorder that involves difficulty in safely passing the food bolus from the oral cavity to the stomach. OD is a common problem in children with congenital Zika virus syndrome (CZS). In this case series, we describe the clinical and acoustic alterations of swallowing in children exposed to the Zika virus during pregnancy in a cohort from Amazonas, Brazil. From July 2019 to January 2020, 22 children were evaluated, 6 with microcephaly and 16 without microcephaly. The mean age among the participants was 35 months (±4.6 months). All children with microcephaly had alterations in oral motricity, mainly in the lips and cheeks. Other alterations were in vocal quality, hard palate, and soft palate. Half of the children with microcephaly showed changes in cervical auscultation during breast milk swallowing. In children without microcephaly, the most frequently observed alteration was in lip motricity, but alterations in auscultation during the swallowing of breast milk were not observed. Regarding swallowing food of a liquid and pasty consistency, the most frequent alterations were incomplete verbal closure, increased oral transit time, inadequacy in capturing the spoon, anterior labial leakage, and increased oral transit time. Although these events are more frequent in microcephalic children, they can also be seen in non-microcephalic children, which points to the need for an indistinct evaluation of children exposed in utero to ZIKV.
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Microcefalia , Malformações do Sistema Nervoso , Complicações Infecciosas na Gravidez , Infecção por Zika virus , Zika virus , Gravidez , Criança , Feminino , Humanos , Lactente , Pré-Escolar , Infecção por Zika virus/complicações , Infecção por Zika virus/congênito , Deglutição , Brasil/epidemiologiaRESUMO
ABSTRACT Background: Malaria is one of the leading causes of morbidity worldwide, and patient adherence to prescribed antimalarials is essential for effective treatment. Methods: This cross-sectional study, with in-depth telephone interviews, analyzed participants' perceptions of short message service (SMS) in adherence to treatment. Results: Five thematic categories emerged: decreased forgetfulness, the novelty of the tool, easy-to-understand language, the impact of SMS messages during treatment, and suggestions for improvement and complaints. Conclusions: SMS could assist patients in adhering to prescribed antimalarials.
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ABSTRACT Background: Women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (WLWH) are more likely to be infected with the oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV). We assessed the prevalence of high-risk (HR) (16/18/31/33/35/39/45/51/52/56/58/59/68/73/82), probable high-risk (pHR) (26/53/66), and low-risk (LR) (6/11/40/42/43/44/54/61/70) HPV types and their associated risk factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study of WLWH aged 18-64 years included one laboratory and eight HIV-specialty healthcare facilities in the pilot network. Descriptive statistics were used to assess sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics. Adjusted analyses were conducted to evaluate risk factors associated with HR and/or pHR HPV infection in WLWH. Results: From May/2021 to May/2022, 1,914 (92.5%) WLWH participated in the pilot study and had valid HPV-DNA results of self-collected vaginal samples. The median age of the participants was 45 years, 60.1% had ≥ 9 years of schooling, 80.5% were ≤ 18 years at first sexual intercourse, and 51.7% had > 4 sexual partners throughout life. The prevalence of any HPV type, HR HPV, pHR HPV, and LR HPV was 65.8%, 49.6%, 16.7%, and 40.0%, respectively. Age was inversely associated with pHR and/or HR-HPV (p < 0.001), and education level was inversely associated with HR-HPV (p = 0.003) types. Any HR or pHR was associated with being single (p = 0.029) and exchanging sex for drugs (p = 0.037). Conclusions: The prevalence of HPV, especially HR HPV, among WLWH is high in Brazil, highlighting the need for HPV screening in this population. Self-collection of vaginal samples is an important strategy for increasing testing access.
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BACKGROUND Understanding the epidemiology of malaria through the molecular force of the blood-stage infection of Plasmodium vivax (molFOB) may provide a detailed assessment of malaria transmission. OBJECTIVES In this study, we investigated risk factors and spatial-temporal patterns of incidence of Plasmodium infection and clinical malaria episodes in three peri-urban communities of Manaus, Western Brazilian Amazon. METHODS Monthly samples were collected in a cohort of 1,274 individuals between April 2013 and March 2014. DNA samples were subject to Plasmodium species. molFOB was calculated by counting the number of genotypes observed on each visit, which had not been present in the preceding two visits and adjusting these counts by the respective times-at-risk. FINDINGS Respectively, 77.8% and 97.2% of the population remained free of P. vivax and P. falciparum infection. Expected heterozygosity for P. vivax was 0.69 for MSP1_F3 and 0.86 for MS2. Multiplicity of infection in P. vivax was close to the value of 1. The season was associated with P. vivax positivity [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 2.6 (1.9-5.7)] and clinical disease [aHR 10.6 (2.4-47.2)]. P. falciparum infection was associated with previous malarial episodes [HR 9.7 (4.5-20.9)]. Subjects who reported possession of a bed net [incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.6 (1.2-2.2)] or previous malaria episodes [IRR 3.0 (2.0-4.5)] were found to have significantly higher P. vivax molFOB. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Overall, P. vivax infection prevailed in the area and infections were mostly observed as monoclonal. Previous malaria episodes were associated with significantly higher P. vivax molFOB.
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Abstract We present postmortem evidence of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in a patient with severe COVID-19. Autopsies of COVID-19 confirmed cases were performed. The patient died despite antimicrobials, mechanical ventilation, and vasopressor support. Histopathology and peripheral blood galactomannan antigen testing confirmed IPA. Aspergillus penicillioides infection was confirmed by nucleotide sequencing and BLAST analysis. Further reports are needed to assess the occurrence and frequency of IPA in SARS-CoV-2 infections, and how they interact clinically.
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Humanos , Masculino , Idoso , Pneumonia Viral/patologia , Aspergillus/isolamento & purificação , Infecções por Coronavirus/patologia , Aspergilose Pulmonar Invasiva/patologia , Betacoronavirus , Pneumonia Viral/complicações , Aspergillus/genética , Autopsia , Evolução Fatal , Infecções por Coronavirus , Infecções por Coronavirus/complicações , Aspergilose Pulmonar Invasiva/complicações , Pandemias , Pulmão/microbiologiaRESUMO
Abstract Malaria, a mosquito-borne infectious disease, is considered a significant global health burden. Climate changes or different weather conditions may impact infectious diseases, specifically those transmitted by insect vectors and contaminated water. Based on the current predictions for climate change associated with the increase in carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere and the increase in atmospheric temperature, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicts that in 2050, malaria may threaten some previously unexposed areas worldwide and cause a 50% higher probability of malaria cases. Climate-based distribution models of malaria depict an increase in the geographic distribution of the disease as global environmental temperatures and conditions worsen. Researchers have studied the influence of changes in climate on the prevalence of malaria using different mathematical models that consider different variables and predict the conditions for malaria distribution. In this context, we conducted a mini-review to elucidate the important aspects described in the literature on the influence of climate change in the distribution and transmission of malaria. It is important to develop possible risk management strategies and enhance the surveillance system enhanced even in currently malaria-free areas predicted to experience malaria in the future.
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Animais , Mudança Climática , Mosquitos Vetores/parasitologia , Malária/transmissão , Anopheles/parasitologia , Dinâmica Populacional , Modelos BiológicosRESUMO
Abstract In Brazil, malaria is an important public health problem first reported in 1560. Historically, fluctuations in malaria cases in Brazil are attributed to waves of economic development; construction of railroads, highways, and hydroelectric dams; and population displacement and land occupation policies. Vector control measures have been widely used with an important role in reducing malaria cases. In this review article, we reviewed the vector control measures established in the Brazilian territory and aspects associated with such measures for malaria. Although some vector control measures are routinely used in Brazil, many entomological and effectiveness information still need better evidence in endemic areas where Plasmodium vivax predominates. Herein, we outlined some of the needs and priorities for future research: a) update of the cartography of malaria vectors in Brazil, adding molecular techniques for the correct identification of species and complexes of species; b) evaluation of vector competence of anophelines in Brazil; c) strengthening of local entomology teams to perform vector control measures and interpret results; d) evaluation of vector control measures, especially use of insecticide-treated nets and long-lasting insecticidal nets, estimating their effectiveness, cost-benefit, and population acceptance; e) establishment of colonies of malaria vectors in Brazil, i.e., Anopheles darlingi, to understand parasite-vector interactions better; f) study of new vector control strategies with impacts on non-endophilic vectors; g) estimation of the impact of insecticide resistance in different geographical areas; and h) identification of the relative contribution of natural and artificial breeding sites in different epidemiological contexts for transmission.
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Humanos , Animais , Controle de Mosquitos/métodos , Mosquitos Vetores , Malária/prevenção & controle , Malária/transmissão , Brasil/epidemiologia , Resistência a Inseticidas , Inseticidas/farmacologia , AnophelesRESUMO
As phagocytosis is the first line of defense against malaria, we developed a phagocytosis assay with Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) merozoites that can be applied to evaluate vaccine candidates. Briefly, after leukocyte removal with loosely packed cellulose powder in a syringe, P. vivax trophozoites matured to the merozoite-rich schizont stages in the presence of the E64 protease inhibitor. The Percoll gradient-enriched schizonts were chemically disrupted to release merozoites that were submitted to merozoite opsonin-dependent phagocytosis in two phagocytic lines with human and mouse antibodies against the N- and C-terminus of P. vivax Merozoite Surface Protein-1 (Nterm-PvMSP1 and MSP119). The resulting assay is simple and efficient for use as a routine phagocytic assay for the evaluation of merozoite stage vaccine candidates.
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Animais , Feminino , Camundongos , Fagocitose/fisiologia , Plasmodium vivax/imunologia , Anticorpos Antiprotozoários/imunologia , Proteínas de Protozoários/imunologia , Merozoítos/imunologia , Plasmodium vivax/fisiologia , Merozoítos/citologia , Citometria de Fluxo , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB CRESUMO
Uma das razões para o impressionante impacto da pandemia da COVID-19 na saúde mundial é a inexistência, até o presente momento, de vacinas ou antivirais específicos aprovados para prevenir ou tratar a enfermidade, cuja letalidade real ainda nos é incerta, pois depende grandemente da disponibilidade de testagem ampla e da qualidade do serviço de saúde. Diante das enormes dificuldades para se desenvolver, em período curto, fármacos e vacinas específicas para tratá-la e preveni-la, a atenção se volta para fármacos já existentes e com segurança atestada pelo largo uso. Alguns estudos demonstraram que fármacos já usados para outras doenças têm atividade in vitro contra o SARS-CoV-2, agente etiológico da Covid-19. As conclusões dos estudos internacionais, multicêntricos e randomizados ora em curso, com previsão de divulgação para algumas semanas, são as únicas garantias de oferta de tratamentos seguros e eficazes a pacientes com COVID-19. Qualquer tentativa de substituir os resultados dessas pesquisas por análises de estudos observacionais é uma falsa solução, que pode acarretar elevados riscos, incluindo morte, aos pacientes, por efeitos colaterais conhecidos e previsíveis. Em uma situação de emergência global de saúde pública, como a Pandemia causada pelo SARS-CoV-2, cabe ao Poder Público garantir o bem-estar da população de forma responsável e embasada em conhecimento produzido pela ciência e não a submeter ao risco adicional de um tratamento sem garantias de segurança e eficácia sob a chancela de uma política nacional de saúde.