Seroprevalence of hepatitis B, C, and D and associated factors in the semi-isolated Yanomami Amazonian indigenous community.

BACKGROUND: Viral hepatitis is a significant health concern among indigenous population in the Americas. In Brazil, reports find high endemicity of HBV and HDV infections has been reported in several indigenous groups. However, few studies have documented the prevalence of HBV, HCV and HDV in the Yanomami. In this study, the prevalence of hepatitis B, C, and D serological markers and potential risk factors were investigated to provide guidance for the development of strategies aimed at reducing viral transmission in the Yanomami indigenous villages. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out in March 2015 and included 430 individuals from four Yanomami villages: Alapusi (n = 78), Castanha/Ahima (n = 126), Gasolina (n = 105), and Taibrapa (n = 121). A rapid test was used for detection of HBsAg and anti-HCV and chemiluminescent immunoassay for anti-HBs, anti-HBc, and anti-HDV antibodies. RESULTS: HBsAg, anti-HBc, and anti-HBs were detected in 8.8, 45.5, and 49.4% of the participants, respectively. The estimated HBV status: current infection 9.6% (38/395); resolved infection 43.3% (171/395); vaccine immunity 20.5% (81/395), and susceptible to HBV 26.6% (105/395). Gasolina presented the lowest prevalence of HBV infection (6.5%) and the highest prevalence of vaccine immunity (26.9%). Children < 15 years old were highly susceptible to infection, as 53.1% did not have antibodies to HBV, while more than 80% of individuals over 45 years of age had been exposed to HBV. The markers for HDV were founded among 12.5% (4/32) of the HBsAg carriers. Anti-HCV was identified in all villages, with the highest prevalence in Alapusi (5.1%). Possible risk factors such as the use of piercings, tattoos, and contact with prospectors showed no statistical difference between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Viral hepatitis B and serological markers for HCV and HDV were found to be widely distributed among the Yanomami indigenous community, while the prevalence of vaccine immunity to HBV was low. This finding reinforces the importance of promoting systematized diagnostic and vaccination strategies in indigenous communities. Our data confirm that isolated and difficult-to-reach indigenous communities lack appropriate access to diagnosis, treatment, and vaccination.

Prevalence of insulin resistance in chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 and 3 patients.

BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE: Chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is associated with a higher prevalence of insulin resistance compared to the general population. This finding is associated with hepatic steatosis, increased liver fibrosis and lower rates of sustained virological response to interferon based therapy. The relationship of insulin resistance and HCV genotype is controversial. Our aim was to compare the prevalence of insulin resistance between patients with HCV genotype 1 and 3. The association of insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis and liver fibrosis was also investigated. RESULTS: Forty four consecutive treatment naïve patients with HCV genotypes 1 or 3, without cirrhosis and without risk factors for metabolic syndrome were prospectively included. Insulin resistance was defined as a homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) above 2.0. Steatosis and fibrosis were assessed histologically. Insulin resistance was found in 27 (61%) patients and significant steatosis in 37 (84%) patients. Comparison between patients with HCV genotype 1 and 3 showed insulin resistance in 15 (65%) vs. 12 (57%), respectively (P = 0.81) and steatosis in 19 (83%) vs. 18 (86%), respectively (P = 0.93). Comparison between patients with and without insulin resistance showed, respectively, a higher prevalence of significant fibrosis (56% vs. 6%; P = 0.0001), and a higher mean degree of steatosis (1.3 ± 0.72 vs. 0.76 ± 0.56; P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of insulin resistance was not different between HCV infected patients with genotype 1 vs. 3. Nevertheless, independent of HCV genotype, there was a statistically significant relationship between insulin resistance and a higher amount of liver fibrosis and steatosis.

Malarial and intestinal parasitic co-infections in indigenous populations of the Brazilian Amazon rainforest.

The Brazilian Amazon rainforest region has a significant prevalence of malarial and intestinal parasitic infections in indigenous populations, accounting for a disproportionate burden. Thus, a cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the prevalence and association between malarial and intestinal protozoan and helminth infections in four remote indigenous villages in the Brazilian Amazon Forest. A total of 430 individuals participated in the study, and Plasmodium infections were diagnosed by examination of thick blood smears and PCR. Stool samples 295 individuals (69%) were examined by direct smear and the Kato-Katz technique. The overall prevalence of malaria, intestinal protozoan infection, and intestinal helminth infection was 14.2%, 100%, and 39.3%, respectively. Polyparasitism was predominant (83.7%), and most infected individuals had at least two or more different species of intestinal protozoan and/or helminth parasites. The prevalence of co-infection was 49.5%, and in individuals with intestinal protozoa and helminth infections (34%), Entamoeba. coli, Entamoeba histolytica, and Ascaris lumbricoides were the most common parasites. In individuals with malaria and protozoa infections (10.2%), P. vivax, E. coli, and E. histolytica predominated, and in individuals with malaria, protozoa, and helminth infections (5.4%). P. vivax, E. coli, E. histolytica, and A. lumbricoides predominated. Intestinal polyparasitism was common in the study population, and the presence of helminths was associated with an increased number of intestinal parasitic species. However, Plasmodium infections were neither a risk nor a protective factor for helminth infections; the same was true for helminth infections in relation to Plasmodium. The high prevalence of intestinal polyparasitism with Plasmodium co-infections highlights the need for combining strategies that may help control both malaria and intestinal parasite and generate a health approach aligned with indigenous perspectives.

Calcium intake and its relationship with risk of overweight and obesity in adolescents.

Adolescents' eating habits are determined by social, psychological, economic, political, and educational influences. They tend to prefer foods with inadequate nutritional value and high fat and carbohydrate content which leads to excessive weight gain and for many, calcium intake is restricted. According to some authors, low calcium intake is linked to increased adiposity. The objective was to evaluate adolescent calcium intake and investigate a possible relationship between calcium intake and nutritional state. As part of their first consultation at Botucatu Adolescent Outpatient Clinic-UNESP, 107 adolescents were nutritionally classified by BMI, according to age, gender, and bands proposed by CDC and AAP. Diet was evaluated by a 3 day 24h food recall, adopting 1300 mg/day calcium intake as recommended by Dietary Reference Intakes. Median calcium intake for the whole sample was 546.6 mg/day, with 91.30% female and 86.84% male presenting lower than adequate daily recommended ingestion levels (DRI). There was significant difference between calcium densities (Ca mg/1000 kcal) in eutrophic and overweight/obesity in males. Male adolescents showed an inverse relationship between calcium intake and adiposity (r = -0.488 and p = 0.0173), which corroborates the hypothesis that low calcium intake is linked to fatty tissue gain. Only 8.70% of female and 13.16% of male adolescents reached their daily recommended calcium intake levels. It must therefore be stressed that nutritional education is an important protection factor for children and adolescents in later life.

Occult infection with HBV intergenotypic A2/G recombinant following acute hepatitis B caused by an HBV/A2 isolate.

Viral and host factors leading to occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (OBI) are not fully understood. Whether HBV genotype may influence the occurrence and course of OBIs is unknown. Here, we describe the case of a patient infected with HBV genotype A2 who developed symptomatic acute hepatitis and did not seroconvert after loss of HBsAg and HBeAg. The acute phase of hepatitis B was followed by a period of more than 2 years during which the DNA of an intergenotypic HBV/A2/G recombinant was intermittently detected in serum.

O Teste do Fator Antinúcleo (FAN) na prática clínica: quando solicitar e como interpretar / The antinuclear factor (ANF) test in clinical practice: when to apply and how to interpret

O teste do Fator Antinúcleo (FAN) é um importante teste para triagem de doenças autoimunes, porém outras condições clínicas alteram esse exame. Ademais, poucos clínicos e generalistas sabem avaliar o seu resultado e, em consequência disso, revisamos como o teste deve ser usado na prática clínica.

The Test for Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) is a very important factor in the evaluation of autoimmune diseases, however the test can be positive in other conditions in clinical practice, furthermore few generalists and physicians know how to use the results of the test, thereby we reviewed how to correctly use the test in everyday clinical practice.

Calcium intake and its relationship with risk of overweight and obesity in adolescents / Ingesta de calcio y su relación con la prevalencia deriesgo de sobrepeso y obesidad en adolescentes

Adolescents’ eating habits are determined by social, psychological, economic, political, and educational influences. They tend to prefer foods with inadequate nutritional value and high fat and carbohydrate content which leads to excessive weight gain and for many, calcium intake is restricted. According to some authors, low calcium intake is linked to increased adiposity. The objective was to evaluate adolescent calcium intake and investigate a possible relationship between calcium intake and nutritional state. As part of their first consultation at Botucatu Adolescent Outpatient Clinic -UNESP, 107 adolescents were nutritionally classified by BMI, according to age, gender, and bands proposed by CDC and AAP. Diet was evaluated by a 3 day 24h food recall, adopting 1300mg/day calcium intake as recommended by Dietary Reference Intakes. Median calcium intake for the whole sample was 546.6mg/day, with 91.30 percent female and 86.84 percent male presenting lower than adequate daily recommended ingestion levels (DRI). There was significant difference between calcium densities (Ca mg/1000kcal) in eutrophic and overweight/obesity in males. Male adolescents showed an inverse relationship between calcium intake and adiposity (r= -0.488 and p=0.0173), which corroborates the hypothesis that low calcium intake is linked to fatty tissue gain. Only 8.70 percent of female and 13.16 percent of male adolescents reached their daily recommended calcium intake levels. It must therefore be stressed that nutritional education is an important protection factor for children and adolescents in later life.

Los hábitos alimentarios se desarrollan dependiendo de los determinantes sociales, psicológicos, económicos, políticos y educacionales y sus preferencias recaen sobre alimentos con inadecuado valor nutricional, elevado contenido de grasa y carbohidratos que conducen a un aumento excesivo de peso. De acuerdo con algunos autores la baja ingestión de calcio se asocia al incremento de la adiposidad. Los objetivos fueron evaluar la ingestión de calcio por adolescentes e investigar una posible relación con el estado nutricional. En su primera consulta en el Ambulatorio de Medicina del Adolescente-Botucatu-UNESP, 107 adolescentes se clasificaron nutricionalmente por el IMC, de acuerdo con la edad y sexo y puntos de corte propuestos por el CDC y AAP. La evaluación dietética fue realizada por el método de recordatorio de 24 hrs. en 3 días diferentes y se adoptó la recomendación de Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI), de 1.300 mg de Ca/día. La ingestión mediana de calcio para la muestra total fue de 546,6 mg/día. Un 91,3 por ciento de las adolescentes y un 86,8 por ciento de los jóvenes presentaron un consumo inferior a los valores de DRI. Al comparar la densidad de calcio (Ca mg/1.000 kcal) entre los grupos eutróficos y sobrepeso/obeso del sexo masculino, se constató una diferencia significativa. En los adolescentes masculinos se evidenció una relación inversa enttre consumo de calcio y adiposidad (r = -0,488 y p = 0,0173), lo cual confirma la hipótesis de que la baja ingestión de calcio se asocia al aumento de tejido graso. Solamente el 8,7 por ciento de las adolescentes mujeres alcanzaron las recomendaciones diarias de DRI y de los adolescente masculinos, el 13,16 por ciento.

Avaliação do conhecimento sobre alimentação entre pacientes com diabetes tipo 2 / Evaluation of the knowledge on eating habits among type 2 diabetics

Objetivo: avaliar o conhecimento sobre alimentação entre diabéticos tipo 2 atendidos em nove unidades de saúde da Secretaria de Estado de Saúde do Distrito Federal - Regional Norte. Método: estudo transversal baseado na aplicação de formulário com treze questões objetivas sobre conhecimento em alimentação entre indivíduos adultos e idosos de ambos os sexos portadores de diabetes tpo 2. Resultados: a média de acerto das questões foi de 65 por cento. Os maiores erros foram em relação aos tipos e características das gorduras alimentares (38,9 por cento e 32,1 por cento respectivamente) e sobre o consumo de adoçantes (38,8 por cento), de alimentos dietéticos (37,7 por cento), de frutas (36,4 por cento de vegetais como a beterraba (50,0 por cento). Sobre as funções das fibras dietéticas, 22,8 por cento não souberam responder. Os únicos fatores que influenciaram significativamente o conhecimento e de forma positiva foram a escolaridade (p menor a 0,001) e o fato de receber orientação nutricional do nutricionista (p igual a 0,046). Conclusão: o grau de conhecimento em alimentação entre portadores de diabetes tipo 2 foi regular (51 a 69 por cento de acerto das questões). A escolaridade e a orientação alimentar realizada pelo nutricionista foram os fatores que mais contribuíram ao conhecimento sobre alimentação dos pacientes diabéticos. Palavras-chave: diabetes, alimentação, educação nutricional.

Síndrome do olho seco / Dry eye syndrome

A síndrome do olho seco é uma entidade muito comum na pratica medica e, por apresentar uma sintomalogia muito inespecífica, compartilhada por diversas outras doenças oculares, costuma ser subdiagnosticada. Atualmente, o termo olho seco é definido como “uma doença multifatorial do sistema lacrimal caracterizada por sintomas de desconforto, distúrbios visuais, com potencial dano à superfície ocular. É acompanhado de alteração de alterações na osmolaridade do filme lacrimal e inflamação da superfície ocular”.

Ceratocone: atualização / Keratoconus: update

Neste artigo de revisão discorremos sobre aspectos norteadores de uma doença relativamente freqüente das patologias oculares. Apresentamos aspectos essenciais sobre as teorias fisiopatológicas, aspectos clínicos, diagnósticos. Porem, nossos foco é apresentar uma atualização em relação ao tratamento, que tem evoluído muito nos últimos anos.

Avaliaçäo de amigdalite estreptocócica em crianças / Streptococci tonsillitis evaluation in children

Os autores estudaram 51 crianças de ambos os sexos, com idade entre 18 meses a 13 anos que apresentavam diagnóstico clínico de amigdalite estreptocócica, e sugerem que os sintomas clínicos e dados de exame físico säo insuficientes para o diagnóstico preciso de amigdalite bacteriana, levando a erros na conduta terapêutica.