Increase in mucormycosis hospitalizations in southeastern Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic: a 2010-2021 time series.

BACKGROUND: Mucormycosis is a severe invasive fungal disease. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, outbreaks have been reported worldwide, but epidemiological studies are still scarce in Brazil. METHODS: We conducted a time-series cohort hospitalization study (2010-2021) in southeastern Brazil. RESULTS: There were 311 cases (85 during the pandemic), with significant (P < 0.05) involvement of patients older than 40 years (84%), white patients (78%), rhinocerebral site (63%), and São Paulo State residents (84%). CONCLUSIONS: Mucormycosis hospitalizations were highly prevalent. Further studies are needed to assess the burden of COVID-19 on mucormycosis in Brazil.

Increase in mucormycosis hospitalizations in southeastern Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic: a 2010-2021 time series

ABSTRACT Background: Mucormycosis is a severe invasive fungal disease. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, outbreaks have been reported worldwide, but epidemiological studies are still scarce in Brazil. Methods: We conducted a time-series cohort hospitalization study (2010-2021) in southeastern Brazil. Results: There were 311 cases (85 during the pandemic), with significant (P < 0.05) involvement of patients older than 40 years (84%), white patients (78%), rhinocerebral site (63%), and São Paulo State residents (84%). Conclusions: Mucormycosis hospitalizations were highly prevalent. Further studies are needed to assess the burden of COVID-19 on mucormycosis in Brazil.

Brazilian perspective: antimicrobial stewardship in solid organ transplant.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of multidrug resistant organisms (MDROs) infections among solid organ transplant (SOT) patients is very high in Brazil. METHODS: This review will discuss antimicrobial use and resistance in SOT in Brazil, highlighting the main barriers and facilitators for implementation of an antimicrobial stewardship programme (ASP). RESULTS: The most common group of MDROs is carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus. Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CREs) are the most frequent MDROs and have been reported as donor-derived as well. Although ASPs are mandatory in the country, there is a lack of information regarding ASPs in SOT recipients. The main barriers for the implementation of ASPs in Brazilian hospitals are lack of electronic medical records, absence of national guidelines specific to SOT recipients, lack of recommendations on surveillance culture to evaluate colonization and transmission of donor-derived MDROs, limited availability of rapid diagnostic tests, and insufficient pharmacist and clinician time allocated to ASP activities in some SOT centers. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of MDRO infections caused mainly by VREs and CREs is very high in the country. There is limited data regarding antimicrobial use among SOT recipients in Brazil. The absence of antimicrobial stewardship national guidelines specific to SOT recipients is one of the main barriers for the implementation of ASPs in Brazilian hospitals.

Phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of a carbapenem-resistant Serratia marcescens cohort and outbreak: describing an opportunistic pathogen.

Serratia marcescens is an emerging opportunistic pathogen with high genetic diversity. This article describes the microbiological characteristics of isolates and the risk factors for infections caused by carbapenem-resistant S. marcescens. A retrospective study of patients colonized (n=43) and infected (n=20) with carbapenem-resistant S. marcescens over a 3-year period was conducted. Polymerase chain reaction for carbapenemase genes and molecular typing of all available strains was performed. Forty-two isolates were analysed, including three environmental samples identified during an outbreak. Thirty-five carbapenem-resistant S. marcescens carried blaKPC-2, one isolate was blaNDM-positive and four isolates carried blaOXA-101. The genomes were grouped into three clusters with 100% bootstrap; three patterns of mutations on ompC and ompF were found. The strains carried virulence genes related to invasion and haemolysis, and the environmental strains presented fewer mutations on the virulence genes than the clinical strains. Multi-variate analysis showed that previous use of polymyxin (P=0.008) was an independent risk factor for carbapenem-resistant S. marcescens infection. This study highlighted that blaKPC-2 in association with ompC or ompF mutation was the most common mechanism of resistance in the study hospital, and that previous use of polymyxin was an independent risk factor for carbapenem-resistant S. marcescens. There was a predominant clone, including the environmental isolates, suggesting that cross-transmission was involved in the dissemination of this pathogen.

Effectiveness of surveillance cultures for high priority multidrug-resistant bacteria in hematopoietic stem cell transplant units.

Surveillance strategies to detect colonization are an important tool to prevent and control the spread of microorganisms in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) units. The aim of this study was to evaluate routine surveillance cultures for screening colonization and infection by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPa), and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). Surveillance cultures were collected (1,323 samples) from 200 patients admitted to an HSCT unit over one year; swabs were taken on admission and then weekly. We compared the positivity of cultures for each site, agent, clinical and epidemiological data according to the colonization status. Infection due to multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) occurred in 52 (21.5%) patients, 45 (86.5%) due to blood stream infection; 12 (23%) patients had a positive surveillance culture before the infection. Cultures of 554 (41.8%) samples were performed for CRPa, 413 (31.2%) for VRE and 356 (27%) for CRE. Of these, 179 (13.5%) were positive. Colonization by any MDRO, CRE or CRPa was associated with increased risk of infection (P < 0.05), but not with death. Previous colonization by an MDRO was a significant risk for infection by these pathogens, specially by CRE. Overall, rectal swabs had the highest positivity rate compared with other sites, oropharynx swabs were an option for CRPa, and fecal cultures showed low positivity. Although the impact of the strategy on the mortality of patients undergoing HSCT is not clear, routine VRE surveillance should be questioned with regard to patients undergoing auto-HSCT due to the additional cost and little impact on survival rates.

Prognosis of hospitalized children under 2 years of age with co-detection of influenza A and respiratory syncytial virus at the healthcare facility / Prognóstico de crianças hospitalizadas menores de 2 anos com codetecção de influenza A e vírus sincicial respiratório no local de atendimento

Abstract Objectives: the aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of co-detection of Flu A and RSV using rapid immunochromatographic tests at the point of care, in pediatric patients under 2 years of age in a general hospital. Methods: a retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze clinical outcomes in hospitalized infants with viral respiratory disease with positive results of rapid immunochromatographic test for RSV and/or Flu-A, from 2013 to 2018. A logistic regression model was adjusted to analyze predictors of orotracheal intubation during hospitalization. Results: we analyzed 220 cases: RSV (192), Flu-A (9), co-detection (19). Lethality rate was 1.8% (2 cases), and 88% (194) were under 1 year of age. Mean time of hospitalizations was higher in patients with co-detection. Variables significantly associated with orotracheal intubation were: younger age in months, comorbidities, RSV and Flu-A co-detection, and bacterial pneumonia during hospitalization. Conclusions: RSV and Flu-Aco-detection was associated with the least favorable clinical prognoses in this study. Rapid test diagnosis may provide important information at the point of care, because molecular panels are not widely accessible in general hospitals. Rapid diagnosis allows timely evaluation and treatment.

Resumo Objetivos: avaliar o impacto da codetecção de Influenza A (FluA) e Vírus Sincicial Respiratório (VSR) por meio de testes imunocromatográficos rápidos em tempo real, em pacientes menores de 2 anos em hospital público e universitário. Métodos: estudo de coorte retrospectivo foi conduzido para analisar os desfechos clínicos de crianças hospitalizadas com doença respiratória viral com resultados positivos do teste rápido imunocromatográfico para VSR e/ou FluA, de 2013 a 2018. Um modelo de regressão logística foi ajustado para analisar preditores de intubação orotraqueal durante a internação. Resultados: foram analisados 220 casos: RSV (192), FluA (9) eco-detecção (19). A letalidade foi de 1,8% (2 casos) e 88% (194) casos em menores de 1 ano. O tempo médio de internação foi maior nos pacientes com codetecção. As variáveis significativamente associadas à intubação orotraqueal foram: menor idade em meses, comorbidades, codetecção de VSR e Flu-A e pneumonia bacteriana durante a internação. Conclusões: codetecção VSR e FluA foi associada a prognósticos clínicos desfavoráveis. O teste rápido fornece informações importantes a beira-leito, pois os painéis moleculares não são amplamente acessíveis em hospitais públicos. O diagnóstico rápido permite a avaliação e tratamento oportunos.

Factors associated with patient weight loss and prescribed diet during hospitalization.

INTRODUCTION: Objective: the aim of this study was to assess weight loss, diet prescribed, and nutritional status in hospitalized patients, as well as their associated factors. Methods: weight loss during hospitalization, nutritional status, disease type, and prescribed diet were investigated in a retrospective study in 621 hospitalized patients. The chi-squared, Fisher's, Mann-Whitney, and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for statistical analysis. To identify factors associated with weight loss a logistic regression analysis was performed. The significance level adopted for statistical tests was 5 %. Results: patients who experienced weight loss during hospitalization were associated with longer hospital stays (p < 0.0001; OR = 1.052; 95 % CI = 1.030 to 1.073), malnourishment according to the subjective global assessment (p = 0.0358; OR = 1.520; 95 % CI = 1,028 to 2,248), digestive disorders (p = 0.0081; OR = 3.177; 95 % CI = 1.351 to 7.469), and digestive neoplasms (p = 0.0407; OR = 2.410; 95 % CI = 1.038 to 5.597). Conclusion: weight loss during hospitalization was associated with neoplasms, digestive diseases, malnutrition, and length of stay.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Objetivo: el objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la pérdida de peso, la dieta prescrita y el estado nutricional de pacientes hospitalizados y sus factores asociados. Métodos: se investigó la pérdida de peso durante la hospitalización, el estado nutricional, el tipo de enfermedad y la dieta prescrita en un estudio retrospectivo de 621 pacientes hospitalizados. Las pruebas del chi cuadrado, Fisher, Mann-Whitney y Kruskal-Wallis se utilizaron para el análisis estadístico. Para identificar los factores asociados con la pérdida de peso se utilizó la regresión logística. El nivel de significación adoptado para las pruebas estadísticas fue del 5 %. Resultados: los casos de pérdida de peso durante la hospitalización se asociaron a las estancias hospitalarias más largas (p < 0,0001; OR = 1,052; IC 95 % = 1,030; 1,073), la desnutrición según la evaluación global subjetiva (p = 0,0358; OR = 1,520; IC 95 % = 1,028; 2,248) los trastornos digestivos (p = 0,0081; OR = 3,177; IC 95 % = 1,351; 7,469) y las neoplasias digestivas (p = 0,0407; OR = 2,410; IC 95 % = 1,038; 5,597). Conclusión: la pérdida de peso durante la hospitalización se asoció con las neoplasias y las enfermedades digestivas, la desnutrición y la duración de la estancia.

Clinical and microbiological characteristics of patients colonized or infected by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia : is resistance to sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim a problem?

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia has emerged as an important opportunistic pathogen in the last decade. Increased resistance to sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (SMX/TMP) has been reported in S. maltophilia strains in the past few years, leading to few therapeutic options. We conducted a prospective multicenter study at two Brazilian teaching hospitals that identified S. maltophilia isolates and evaluated their antimicrobial susceptibility profile, SMX/TMP resistance genes and their clonality profile. A total of 106 non-repeated clinical samples of S. maltophilia were evaluated. Resistance to SMX/TMP was identified in 21.6% of the samples, and previous use of SMX/TMP occurred in 19 (82.6%). PCR detected the sul1 gene in 14 of 106 strains (13.2%). Of these isolates, nine displayed resistance to SMX/TMP. The resistant strains presented a polyclonal profile. This opportunistic pathogen has emerged in immunocompromised hosts, with few therapeutic options, which is aggravated by the description of emerging resistance mechanisms, although with a polyclonal distribution profile.

Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Characteristics of Vancomycin and Meropenem in Critically Ill Patients Receiving Sustained Low-efficiency Dialysis.

PURPOSE: Antibiotic dosing is challenge in critically ill patients undergoing renal replacement therapy. Our aim was to evaluate the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) characteristics of meropenem and vancomycin in patients undergoing SLED. METHODS: Consecutive ICU patients undergoing SLED and receiving meropenem and/or vancomycin were prospectively evaluated. Serial blood samples were collected before, during, and at the end of SLED sessions. Antimicrobial concentrations were determined using a validated HPLC method. Noncompartmental PK analysis was performed. AUC was determined for vancomycin. For meropenem, time above MIC was calculated. FINDINGS: A total of 24 patients receiving vancomycin and 21 receiving meropenem were included; 170 plasma samples were obtained. Median serum vancomycin and meropenem concentrations before SLED were 24.5 and 28.0 µg/mL, respectively; after SLED, 14 and 6 µg/mL. Mean removal was 42% with vancomycin and 78% with meropenem. With vancomycin, 19 (83%), 16 (70%), and 15 (65%) patients would have achieved the target (AUC0-24 >400) considering MICs of 1, 2, and 4 mg/L, respectively. With meropenem, 17 (85%), 14 (70%), and 10 (50%) patients would have achieved the target (100% of time above MIC) if infected with isolates with MICs of 1, 4, and 8 mg/L, respectively. IMPLICATIONS: SLED clearances of meropenem and vancomycin were 3-fold higher than the clearance described by continuous methods. Despite this finding, overall high PK/PD target attainments were obtained, except for at higher MICs. We suggest a maintenance dose of 1 g TID or BID of meropenem. With vancomycin, a more individualized approach using therapeutic drug monitoring should be used, as commercial assays are available.

Bloodstream infection in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation outpatients: risk factors for hospitalization and death.

We described 235 bloodstream infection (BSI) episodes in 146 hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) outpatients and evaluated risk factors for hospitalization and death. Records of outpatients presenting with positive blood cultures over a 5-year period (January 2005 to December 2008) were reviewed. Variables with p< 0.1 in bivariate analysis were used in a regression logistic model. A total of 266 agents were identified, being 175 (66.7%) gram-negative, 80 (30.3%) gram-positive bacteria and 9 (3.4%) fungi. The most common underlying disease was acute leukemia 40 (27.4%), followed by lymphoma non-Hodgkin 26 (18%) and 87 patients (59.6%) were submitted to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). BSI episodes were more frequent during the first 100 days after transplantation (183 or 77.8%), and ninety-one (38.7%) episodes of BSI occurred up to the first 30 days. Hospitalization occurred in 26% of the episodes and death in 10% of cases. Only autologous HSCT was protector for hospitalization. Although, central venous catheter (CVC) withdrawal and the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) score up to 21 points were protector factors for death in the bivariate analysis, only MASCC remained as protector.

Chlorhexidine bathing for the prevention of colonization and infection with multidrug-resistant microorganisms in a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation unit over a 9-year period: Impact on chlorhexidine susceptibility.

Health care associated infections (HAIs) are currently among the major challenges to the care of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the impact of 2% chlorhexidine (CHG) bathing on the incidence of colonization and infection with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), multidrug-resistant (MDR) gram-negative pathogens, and to evaluate their CHG minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) after the intervention.A quasi-experimental study with duration of 9 years was conducted. VRE colonization and infection, HAI rates, and MDR gram-negative infection were evaluated by interrupted time series analysis. The antibacterial susceptibility profile and mechanism of resistance to CHG were analyzed in both periods by the agar dilution method in the presence or absence of the efflux pump inhibitor carbonyl cyanide-m-chlorophenyl hydrazone (CCCP) and presence of efflux pumps (qacA/E, qacA, qacE, cepA, AdeA, AdeB, and AdeC) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).The VRE colonization and infection rates were significantly reduced in the postintervention period (P = 0.001). However, gram-negative MDR rates in the unit increased in the last years of the study. The CHG MICs for VRE increased during the period of exposure to the antiseptic. A higher MIC at baseline period was observed in MDR gram-negative strains. The emergence of a monoclonal Pseudomonas aeruginosa clone was observed in the second period.Concluding, CHG bathing was efficient regarding VRE colonization and infection, whereas no similar results were found with MDR gram-negative bacteria.

Healthcare-associated infection in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients: risk factors and impact on outcome.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to analyze the incidence of and risk factors for healthcare-associated infections (HAI) among hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients, and the impact of such infections on mortality during hospitalization. METHODS: We conducted a 9-year (2001-2009) retrospective cohort study including patients submitted to HSCT at a reference center in São Paulo, Brazil. The incidence of HAI was calculated using days of neutropenia as the denominator. Data were analyzed using EpiInfo 3.5.1. RESULTS: Over the 9-year period there were 429 neutropenic HSCT patients, with a total of 6816 days of neutropenia. Bloodstream infections (BSI) were the most frequent infection, presenting in 80 (18.6%) patients, with an incidence of 11.7 per 1000 days of neutropenia. Most bacteremia was due to Gram-negative bacteria: 43 (53.8%) cases were caused by Gram-negative species, while 33 (41.2%) were caused by Gram-positive species, and four (5%) by fungal species. Independent risk factors associated with HAI were prolonged neutropenia (odds ratio (OR) 1.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04-1.10) and duration of fever (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.12-1.30). Risk factors associated with death in multivariate analyses were age (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.43), being submitted to an allogeneic transplant (OR 3.08, 95% CI 1.68-5.56), a microbiologically documented infection (OR 2.96, 95% CI 1.87-4.6), invasive aspergillosis disease (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.1-4.3), and acute leukemias (OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.3-3.6). CONCLUSIONS: BSI was the most frequent HAI, and there was a predominance of Gram-negative microorganisms. Independent risk factors associated with HAI were duration of neutropenia and fever, and the risk factors for a poor outcome were older age, type of transplant (allogeneic), the presence of a microbiologically documented infection, invasive aspergillosis, and acute leukemia. Further prospective studies with larger numbers of patients may confirm the role of these risk factors for a poor clinical outcome and death in this transplant population.

Adverse events after pneumococcal vaccination.

OBJECTIVE: To study the occurrence of adverse events after administration of a capsular polysaccharide vaccine against 23 pneumococcal serotypes in individuals for whom such vaccination is indicated. METHODS: This was a prospective study, conducted in a general hospital in the city of Sumaré, in which 152 individuals were evaluated after intramuscular vaccination with 0.5 mL of the Pneumo 23 vaccine. The study variable was subject complaint of at least one symptom forming a temporal nexus with the vaccine (appearing within 48 h after its administration). The subjects were evaluated at five to seven days after vaccination. The covariables age, gender and clinical profile were tested using the chi-square test and multiple logistic regression, with the level of significance set at 5%. RESULTS: The age of the population ranged from 5 to 86 years (mean, 61.8 years). For nearly all (99%) of the subjects, the vaccination evaluated was their first dose of the vaccine. Events occurring at the injection site were reported in 36 subjects (23.7%). Of those 36 events, 24 (68%) were mild and had no repercussions for the daily activities of the subjects. Pain at the site of the injection was the most common symptom, being reported by 97.2% of the subjects. Erythema and localized edema were found in 6.3% and 5.1% of the subjects, respectively. Of the subjects evaluated, 12.8% reported general symptoms (malaise, fever, sleepiness and generalized pain). In the bivariate analysis, none of the covariables were found to present a statistically significant correlation with adverse events (p > 0.20). The same held true in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Although, the 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine provokes few reactions in the first dose, it is still rarely recommended in the region, even for patients at risk.

Eventos adversos após vacinação contra o pneumococo / Adverse events after pneumococcal vaccination

OBJETIVO: Estudar a ocorrência de eventos adversos após aplicação da vacina polissacarídea capsular contra 23 sorotipos do pneumococo em indivíduos com indicação clínica, em Sumaré (SP) (630.000 habitantes). MÉTODOS: Foram investigados prospectivamente 152 indivíduos após vacinação (0,5 mL intramuscular Pneumo23® Aventis Pasteur, Espanha) em um hospital geral. A variável de estudo foi a queixa de pelo menos um sintoma com nexo temporal com a vacina, isto é, nas primeiras 48 h após a aplicação. Os indivíduos foram investigados de cinco a sete dias após a vacinação. As co-variáveis idade, sexo e indicação clínica foram testadas pelo método Qui-quadrado e pelo modelo logístico múltiplo, considerando-se o nível de significância de 5 por cento. RESULTADOS: A idade da população variou de cinco a 86 anos (média de 61,8 anos). A quase totalidade dos indivíduos recebeu a primeira dose na ocasião (99 por cento). Notificou-se a ocorrência de eventos locais em 36 indivíduos (23,7 por cento), entre os quais 68 por cento foram leves, sem repercussão nas atividades diárias. A dor no local da aplicação foi o sintoma mais freqüentemente relatado, por 97,2 por cento dos indivíduos. Eritema e edema local estiveram presentes em 6,3 por cento e 5,1 por cento dos casos, respectivamente. Foram referidos sintomas gerais por 12,8 por cento dos investigados (mal-estar, febre, sonolência, dor no corpo). Nenhuma co-variável relacionou-se estatisticamente com os eventos adversos na análise bivariada (p > 0,20), sendo que a análise múltipla mostrou os mesmos resultados. CONCLUSÃO: A vacina pneumocócica 23-valente é pouco reatogênica na primeira dose, e é ainda pouco indicada na região, mesmo em pacientes de indicação clínica.

OBJECTIVE: To study the occurrence of adverse events after administration of a capsular polysaccharide vaccine against 23 pneumococcal serotypes in individuals for whom such vaccination is indicated. METHODS: This was a prospective study, conducted in a general hospital in the city of Sumaré, in which 152 individuals were evaluated after intramuscular vaccination with 0.5 mL of the Pneumo 23® vaccine. The study variable was subject complaint of at least one symptom forming a temporal nexus with the vaccine (appearing within 48 h after its administration). The subjects were evaluated at five to seven days after vaccination. The covariables age, gender and clinical profile were tested using the chi-square test and multiple logistic regression, with the level of significance set at 5 percent. RESULTS: The age of the population ranged from 5 to 86 years (mean, 61.8 years). For nearly all (99 percent) of the subjects, the vaccination evaluated was their first dose of the vaccine. Events occurring at the injection site were reported in 36 subjects (23.7 percent). Of those 36 events, 24 (68 percent) were mild and had no repercussions for the daily activities of the subjects. Pain at the site of the injection was the most common symptom, being reported by 97.2 percent of the subjects. Erythema and localized edema were found in 6.3 percent and 5.1 percent of the subjects, respectively. Of the subjects evaluated, 12.8 percent reported general symptoms (malaise, fever, sleepiness and generalized pain). In the bivariate analysis, none of the covariables were found to present a statistically significant correlation with adverse events (p > 0.20). The same held true in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Although, the 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine provokes few reactions in the first dose, it is still rarely recommended in the region, even for patients at risk.

Investigação da sísilis congênita na microrregião de Sumaré, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil - desvelando a fragilidade do cuidado à mulher gestante e ao recém-nascido / Investigation of congenital syphilis in Sumaré micro-region, State of São Paulo, Brazil - unveiling the fragile points in pregnant womwn and newborn care

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar os casos de sífilis congênita notificados na microrregião de Sumaré, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, e identificar pontos vulneráveis da assistência obstétrica e neonatal. Foi realizado estudo descritivo retrospectivo dos 45 casos de sífilis congênita no período de 2003 a 2005, mediante revisão das fichas de notificação epidemiológica e dos prontuários médicos. Identificou-se atraso no diagnóstico sorológico não treponêmico [teste: Veneral Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL)] durante o pré-natal, falhas no tratamento das gestantes infectadas e seus parceiros. A investigação dos recém-nascidos no âmbito hospitalar foi ágil (primeiros cinco dias). Faz referência à falta de informações sobre o seguimento da mulher e da criança infectadas. O acesso aos serviços parece não ser limitante, ao contrário da qualidade da atenção. Esses dados refletem dificuldades e inadequação dos serviços de obstetrícia na microrregião de Sumaré. Ressalta-se o papel do hospital como unidade sentinela regional no diagnóstico de sífilis não detectada ou, até mesmo, negligenciada no pré-natal...

The objective of this study was to analyze notified cases of congenital syphilis, and to identify the vulnerable points in the obstetric and postnatal attending related to disease incidence in Sumaré micro-region, State of São Paulo, Brazil. A retrospective descriptive study was made of 45 syphilis cases in newborns and abortions, from 2003 to 2005, including medical and epidemiological records review. It were identified problems with delaying in diagnosing to make the serological testing [Veneral Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL)] to detect syphilis during pregnancy; and a delay in exam and result flow, as well as inadequate or non-existent treatment for pregnant women and their partners. Newborn hospital investigation was fast (less than five days). There was no evidence of infected women and children follow up after birth. Data reflect difficulties, and inadequate obstetric services in Sumaré micro-region. The reference hospital has a role as regional sentinel unit for identifying syphilis cases not detected or even neglected in prenatal care.