Fatal Brazilian spotted fever in a healthy military man during field training in Rio de Janeiro city, southeastern Brazil

ABSTRACT Brazilian spotted fever, a zoonotic disease transmitted by ticks, is caused by Rickettsia rickettsii. We report a fulminant case of this zoonosis in a healthy 46-year-old military man in the urban region of Rio de Janeiro city, in October, 2021. Ticks and capybaras (Amblyomma sculptum, Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, respectively) were identified in the military fields, pointing to the participation of this large synanthropic rodent, recognized as an efficient amplifier host of Rickettsia rickettsii in Brazil. As the military population is considered a risk group for spotted fever, it is necessary to alert health professionals to the importance of the early detection of the disease and its adequate management, mainly in populations that are particularly at risk of exposure to ticks, in order to avoid fatal outcomes.

Studies on Phlebotominae (Diptera: Psychodidae) in the Campus FIOCRUZ Mata Atlântica, Jacarepaguá, in the City of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

INTRODUCTION: The presence of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) in the communities of the Campus FIOCRUZ Mata Atlântica (CFMA) in the City of Rio de Janeiro initiated the investigation of the Phlebotominae fauna in the Atlantic Forest to determine the occurrence of putative ACL vectors associated with the enzootic cycle. METHODS: For 24 consecutive months, sand flies were captured inside the forest and in the border area near the communities. RESULTS: The following sand fly species were identified: Brumptomyia brumpti, Brumptomyia cunhai, Brumptomyia nitzulescui, Lutzomyia edwardsi, Lutzomyia pelloni, and Lutzomyia quinquefer. Other identified sand fly vectors, such as Lutzomyia intermedia (the predominant species), Lutzomyia migonei, Lutzomyia whitmani, Lutzomyia fischeri, and Lutzomyia hirsuta hirsuta, are associated with ACL transmission, and the vector for American visceral leishmaniases (AVL), Lutzomyia longipalpis, was also found. CONCLUSIONS: All sand fly vectors were found in both studied environments except for Lutzomyia whitmani, which was only identified in the forest. This study represents the first identification of Lutzomyia longipalpis in the CFMA, and the epidemiological implications are discussed. .

Characterization of rickettsia rickettsii in a case of Fatal Brazilian spotted fever in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

A lethal case of Brazilian spotted fever (BSF) is presented. Clinical features were initially of gastrointestinal involvement and evolved with progression to septic shock, meningoencephalitis and death on the 6th day of illness. Indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for spotted fever group rickettsia (SFGR) was non-reactive. Diagnosis was confirmed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the nucleotide sequencing of a fragment of the ompA gene showed 100 percent homology to Rickettsia rickettsii. BSF has not been reported in the city of Rio de Janeiro in the last three decades, and the present description should alert the clinicians to its presence in urban Rio de Janeiro, and to the differential diagnosis with dengue fever, gastroenteritis, leptospirosis and bacterial septic shock, among others.

Instituições de longa permanência para idosos - ILPIS: desafios e alternativas no município do Rio de Janeiro / Long-term care facilities: challenges and alternatives in Rio de Janeiro municipality, Brazil

O aumento da longevidade em nosso país tem trazido diversas questões para a gestão das políticas públicas, dentre as quais o aumento da demanda por Instituições de Longa Permanência para Idosos (ILPIs). Tais instituições surgiram historicamente para atender a pessoas em situação de pobreza, com problemas de saúde e sem suporte social. Atualmente, os determinantes da institucionalização têm sido mais bem conhecidos através de estudos sobre o perfil das ILPIs e do público atendido, características e necessidades das instituições, as quais apresentam, em muitas situações, problemas na gestão, que as deixam ainda distantes do padrão de qualidade desejável definido na legislação que regula os direitos dos idosos no país. Com base nessa contextualização, este artigo apresenta um panorama de algumas ações desenvolvidas no município do Rio de Janeiro, apontando demandas e dificuldades que motivam a busca pelas ILPIs, as alternativas oferecidas aos idosos e os principais desafios. Conclui-se que é importante ampliar esse debate, para que se possa avançar na proposição e implementação de novas propostas e modelos alternativos à institucionalização.

The increase of longevity in our country rises many questions for public policies, such as the increasing demand for Long Term Care. Historically these institutions were created to take care of poor people, those with health problems and without social support. Nowadays the facts that determine the institutionalization are better known through studies on the profile, characteristics and needs of institutions that present problems regarding their management, and usually are far from the desirable quality standard defined by the legislation that controls the elderly's rights in Brazil. Based on this context, this article presents an overview of some actions developed in Rio de Janeiro municipality, pointing out the demands and difficulties that encourage searching for LTC's, alternatives offered to the aged and main challenges. In conclusion, it is urgent to broaden this discussion so as to stimulate the implementation and proposition of new ideas and alternative models for institutionalization.