Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and spectrum of predisposing conditions: a 20-year retrospective cohort study in a tertiary center in São Paulo, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies on predisposing conditions and outcomes of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) cases have been carried out exclusively in high-income countries. We aim to report and compare the main characteristics and outcomes of patients with PML and several underlying diseases in a referral center in a middle-income country. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of PML cases admitted to a tertiary care hospital in São Paulo, Brazil during 2000-2022. Demographic and PML-specific variables were recorded. One-year case-fatality rate and factors associated with death were identified using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model. RESULTS: Ninety-nine patients with PML were included. HIV infection (84.8%) and malignancy (14.1%) were the most prevalent underlying conditions. Other predisposing diseases were autoimmune/inflammatory diseases (5.1%) and solid organ transplantation (1.0%). One (1.0%) patient had liver cirrhosis and another (1.0%) patient was previously healthy. Focal motor deficits (64.2%) and gait instability (55.1%) were the most common signs. The one-year case-fatality rate was 52.5% (95% CI 42.2-62.7). The one-year case-fatality rate (95% CI) in patients with or without malignancy (85.7%, 95% CI 57.2-98.2% and 47.1%, 95% CI 36.1-58.2%, respectively) were statistically different (P = 0.009). Crude and adjusted Cox regression models identified malignancy as independently associated with death (adjusted HR = 3.92, 95% CI 1.76-8.73, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: HIV/AIDS was the predisposing condition in 84.8% of PML cases. The one-year case-fatality rate was 52.5% and having a malignancy was independently associated with death. This study reports emerging data on the epidemiology and outcome of PML in a middle-income country.

Characterization of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Omicron Variant Shedding and Predictors of Viral Culture Positivity on Vaccinated Healthcare Workers With Mild Coronavirus Disease 2019.

In this prospective cohort of 30 vaccinated healthcare workers with mild Omicron variant infection, we evaluated viral culture, rapid antigen test (RAT), and real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of respiratory samples at days 5, 7, 10, and 14. Viral culture was positive in 46% (11/24) and 20% (6/30) of samples at days 5 and 7, respectively. RAT and RT-PCR (Ct ≤35) showed 100% negative predictive value (NPV), with positive predictive values (PPVs) of 32% and 17%, respectively, for predicting viral culture positivity. A lower RT-PCR threshold (Ct ≤24) improved culture prediction (PPV = 39%; NPV = 100%). Vaccinated persons with mild Omicron infection are potentially transmissible up to day 7. RAT and RT-PCR might be useful tools for shortening the isolation period.

Mapping of medical schools: the distribution of undergraduate courses and annual vacancies in Brazilian cities in 2020 / Cartografia das escolas médicas: a distribuição de cursos e vagas nos municípios brasileiros em 2020

Abstract: Introduction: The number of medical schools in Brazil, as well as the number of vacancies offered at these schools, has grown considerably in the last few years. Since 2013, this increasehas aimedat reaching especially the rural and underserved areas of the country. Objective: Considering that there are many different interests concerning this debate and that this reality directly influences the education and health policies of the country, the aim of this study was to evaluate the number and the distribution of the medical courses,as well as vacancies in these schools in 2020, presenting an updated overview of the Brazilian medical schools. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, based on data gathered from the Brazilian Ministry ofEducation and Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) website. The utilized variables were the number of courses, number of vacancies offered in each course, characteristics of the cities where the medical schools are located, such as population size, Human Development Index (HDI) and distance to the capital city of each state. Results: Among the institutions that have already initiated their activities, there are 328 active courses, offering 35.480 vacancies for Medical School applicants. There is a difference when analyzing public or private institutions and paid or tuition-free institutions. There is a greater offer of paid courses (74,1%) and of courses located in the countryside (69,8%). Among the courses in the countryside, 27,8% of the vacancies are offered within 100 km of the capital city. Only 7,9% of the annual vacancies are offered in cities with a medium HDI, and the remainder are offered in cities with high or very high HDI. The increase in HDI is related to the higher proportion of private courses offering medical vacancies. It was observed that there is no correspondence between the absolute number of vacancies and the population of the North region, differentfrom what occurs in the other regions of the country. Conclusions: Medical training is under many influences, such as economic and political trends. This discussion needs to consider the regionalization and democratization of access. It was observed that public institutions tend to be located in municipalities that are farther away from the capitals. Even though there is now greater homogeneity between the regions, the Southeast still concentrates almost half of the vacancies in medical courses. Also, the increase in the number of vacancies in private courses brings up the reflection about the socioeconomic profile of medical students who have the opportunity to gain access to this level of education.

Resumo: Introdução: O número de cursos de Medicina no Brasil e a quantidade de vagas ofertadas cresceram consideravelmente nos últimos anos. A partir de 2013, essa expansão tinha o objetivo de atingir sobretudo o interior do país. Objetivo: Considerando que existem diversos interesses em torno dessa expansão e que essa realidade influencia diretamente as políticas de educação e saúde do país, o objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a quantidade e a distribuição, em 2020, desses cursos e vagas nos municípios brasileiros. Método: Trata-se de estudo transversal com dados disponibilizados pelo Ministério da Educação e pelo Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). As variáveis estudadas foram números de cursos, número de vagas e características dos municípios das escolas médicas, como tamanho da população, Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano (IDH) e distância em relação à capital do respectivo estado. Resultados: Há 328 cursos em atividade que ofertam 35.480 vagas para ingressantes em Medicina. Ocorre diferença quando se analisam instituições públicas ou privadas e instituições gratuitas ou pagas. Há maior oferta de vagas em cursos pagos (74,1%) e em municípios de interior (69,8%). No interior, 27,8% das vagas são ofertadas por municípios distantes de um a 100 km da capital. A menor parte das vagas (7,9%) é ofertada em municípios de IDH médio, sendo o restante em municípios de IDH alto ou muito alto. O aumento do IDH está relacionado à maior proporção de cursos privados ofertando vagas de Medicina. Observou-se que não há correspondência entre o número absoluto de vagas e a população da Região Norte, o que ocorre nas demais regiões do país. Conclusões: A formação médica está sob várias influências, a exemplo das tendências econômicas e políticas. Essa discussão precisa levar em consideração a regionalização e a democratização do acesso. Observou-se tendência de as instituições públicas se destinarem a municípios mais distantes. Apesar de maior homogeneidade entre as regiões, a Região Sudeste ainda concentra quase metade das vagas. Além disso, o aumento do número de vagas em cursos privados evoca o questionamento sobre o perfil de estudantes que têm a oportunidade de acessar essa graduação.