Dental caries and anthropometrics of children living in an informal floating Amazonian community: a cross-sectional pilot study

Abstract Aims: Increasing evidence supports a relationship between poor oral health and growth in children. Our objective was to assess the association between the presence of dental caries and anthropometric measurements of children residing in Claverito, a floating slum community in the Peruvian Amazon. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, presence of caries was assessed using dmft/DMFT (decayed, missing, filled teeth) scores and the SiC Index (mean dmft/DMFT of one-third of the study group with the highest caries score). Anthropometric categories for age-sex-specific z-scores for height and weight were calculated based on WHO standardized procedures and definitions. The association between SiC (measured by dmft/DMFT) and anthropometric measures was estimated using unadjusted and adjusted multivariable linear regression models. Critical value was established at 5%. Results: Our study population consisted of 67 children between the ages of 1 and 18 years old. Mean age was 9.5 years old (SD: 4.5), and the majority were female (52.2%). Almost all had dental caries (97.0%) and the mean dmft/DMFT score was 7.2 (SD: 4.7). The SiC Index of this population was 9.0. After adjusting for confounding variables, participants who had permanent dentition with the highest dmft/DMFT levels had statistically significant decreased height-for-age z-scores (HAZ) (p=0.04). Conclusions: We found an inverse linear association between SiC Index and height-for-age z-scores (HAZ) among children living in poverty in a floating Amazonian community in Peru. Children from under-resourced communities, like floating slums, are at high risk for oral disease possibly negatively impacting their growth and development.

Resumo Objetivos: Há cada vez mais evidências apoiando uma relação entre a saúde bucal precária e o crescimento das crianças. Nosso objetivo foi avaliar a associação entre a presença de cárie dentária e medidas antropométricas de crianças residentes em Claverito, uma comunidade flutuante de favelas na Amazônia peruana. Métodos: Para este estudo transversal, a presença de cárie foi avaliada utilizando os escores dmft/DMFT (dentes cariados, ausentes, preenchidos) e o Índice SiC (média dmft/DMFT de um terço do grupo de estudo com a maior pontuação de cárie). As categorias antropométricas para pontuações z específicas de idade e sexo para altura e peso foram calculadas com base nos procedimentos e definições padronizados da OMS. A associação entre SiC (medido por dmft/DMFT) e medidas antropométricas foi estimada usando modelos de regressão linear multivariável não ajustados e ajustados. O valor crítico foi estabelecido em 5%. Resultados: A população do estudo consistia de 67 crianças entre 1 e 18 anos de idade. A idade média era de 9,5 anos (DP: 4,5), e a maioria era do sexo feminino (52,2%). Quase todas tinham cárie dentária (97,0%) e a média da pontuação dmft/DMFT foi de 7,2 (DP: 4,7). O índice SiC desta população era de 9,0. Após ajuste para variáveis confusas, os participantes que tinham dentição permanente com os níveis mais altos de dmft/DMFT tinham diminuído estatisticamente a pontuação z de altura por idade (HAZ) (p=0,04). Conclusões: Encontramos uma associação linear inversa entre o Índice SiC e as pontuações z de altura por idade (HAZ) entre crianças que vivem na pobreza em uma comunidade amazônica flutuante no Peru. Crianças de comunidades com poucos recursos, como favelas flutuantes, correm alto risco de contrair doenças orais, possivelmente impactando negativamente seu crescimento e desenvolvimento.

Mortality in hospitalized patients with tuberculous meningitis.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the mortality in hospitalized patients with tuberculous meningitis and describe factors associated with an increased risk of mortality. METHODS: Retrospective study of hospitalized patients with tuberculous meningitis between 2006 and 2015 in Peru performing a generalized linear regression to identify factors predictive of in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Of 263 patients, the median age was 35 years, 72.6% were men, 38% were positive for HIV upon admission, 24% had prior TB infections and 2.3% had prior MDR-TB infections. In-hospital mortality was 30.4% of all study patients with a final diagnosis of TBM. When multivariable analysis was applied, significant associations with in-hospital mortality were seen among patients with HIV (RR 2.06; Confidence Interval 95% (95% CI) 1.44-2.94), BMRC II (RR 1.78; 95% CI 1.07-2.97), BMRC III (RR 3.11; 95% CI 1.78-5.45) and positive CSF cultures (RR 1.95; 95% CI 1.39-2.74). CONCLUSIONS: In-hospital mortality is higher among patients with HIV infections, age over 40 years, positive CSF TB culture and BMRC stage II or III.

Human papillomavirus infection among male clients of female sex workers soliciting sex in brothels in Peru.

The prevalence of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) has been reported to be three times higher in female sex workers (FSWs) in Callao, Peru than in the general population of women in Peru. Prevalence of HR-HPV among male clients has not yet been reported. A total of 150 men soliciting intercourse in sex work venues submitted questionnaires, samples for sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, and self-collected penile samples prior to and following intercourse for HPV genotyping. We identified variables associated with pre-coital HR-HPV, and compared HR-HPV detection pre- and post-coitus. Prior to intercourse, HR-HPV prevalence was 41.9%. Married clients were less likely than unmarried clients to have HR-HPV detected ( p = 0.03). While post-coital HR-HPV prevalence was higher (47.6%), the difference was not statistically significant. However, there was a significant increase in the mean number of HR-HPV DNA strains detected before (0.75) and after (0.94) intercourse ( p = 0.02). No cases of gonorrhoea or syphilis and six (4.1%) cases of chlamydial infection were detected. Despite low prevalence of other STIs, male clients had a high HR-HPV prevalence. The increase in detection of HR-HPV following intercourse demonstrates a potential for transmission of HR-HPV despite high self-reported condom use.

Association of Previous Clinical Breast Examination With Reduced Delays and Earlier-Stage Breast Cancer Diagnosis Among Women in Peru.

IMPORTANCE: Mammographic screening is impractical in most of the world where breast cancers are first identified based on clinical signs and symptoms. Clinical breast examination may improve early diagnosis directly by finding breast cancers at earlier stages or indirectly by heightening women's awareness of breast health concerns. OBJECTIVE: To investigate factors that influence time to presentation and stage at diagnosis among patients with breast cancer to determine whether history of previous clinical breast examination is associated with earlier presentation and/or earlier cancer stage at diagnosis. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: In this cross-sectional analysis of individual patient interviews using a validated Breast Cancer Delay Questionnaire, 113 (71.1%) of 159 women with breast cancer treated at a federally funded tertiary care referral cancer center in Trujillo, Peru, from February 1 through May 31, 2015, were studied. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Method of breast cancer detection and factors that influence time to and stage at diagnosis. RESULTS: Of 113 women with diagnosed cancer (mean [SD] age, 54 [10.8] years; age range, 32-82 years), 105 (92.9%) had self-detected disease. Of the 93 women for whom stage was documented, 45 (48.4%) were diagnosed with early-stage disease (American Joint Committee on Cancer [AJCC] stage 0, I, or II), and 48 (51.6%) were diagnosed with late-stage disease (AJCC stage III or IV). Mean (SD) total delay from symptom onset to initiation of treatment was 407 (665) days because of patient (mean [SD], 198 [449] days) and health care system (mean [SD], 241 [556] days) delay. Fifty-two women (46.0%) had a history of clinical breast examination, and 23 (20.4%) had undergone previous mammography. Women who underwent a previous clinical breast examination were more likely to have shorter delays from symptom development to presentation compared with women who had never undergone a previous clinical breast examination (odds ratio, 2.92; 95% CI, 1.30-6.60; P = .01). Women diagnosed with shorter patient delay were more likely to be diagnosed with early-stage disease (AJCC stage 0, I, or II) than those with longer patient delay (31 [58.5%] vs 11 [30.6%], P = .01). Women who underwent a previous clinical breast examination were more likely to be diagnosed with early-stage disease compared with women who had never undergone previous clinical breast examination; this relationship remained significant after controlling for insurance and household income (odds ratio, 2.44; 95% CI, 1.01-5.95; P = .048). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In a population in which most breast cancers are self-detected, previous clinical breast examination was associated with shorter patient delay and earlier stage at breast cancer diagnosis. In regions of the world that lack mammographic screening, the routine use of clinical breast examination may provide a resource-appropriate strategy for improving breast cancer early diagnosis.

Barriers to Follow-Up for Abnormal Papanicolaou Smears among Female Sex Workers in Lima, Peru.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is the most prevalent cancer among Peruvian women. Female sex workers (FSW) in Peru are at elevated risk for HPV infection, and receive annual Papanicolaou screening. The objective of this study was to identify barriers to follow-up for abnormal Pap smears among FSW in Peru. METHODS: 97 FSW attending the Alberto Barton Health Center in Lima were surveyed regarding their STI screening history. 17 women with a history of an abnormal Pap smear were interviewed about their experiences regarding follow-up care. RESULTS: Of the 27 HPV-positive women, only 8 (30%) received follow-up treatment. Of the 19 women who did not receive follow-up, 7 (37%) had not been informed of their abnormal result. Qualitative interviews revealed that the major barrier to follow-up was lack of knowledge about HPV and potential health consequences of an abnormal Pap smear. CONCLUSION: HPV infection is highly prevalent in Peruvian FSW, yet only 30% of FSW with abnormal Pap smears receive follow-up care. The predominant barriers to follow-up were lack of standardization in recording and communicating results and insufficient FSW knowledge regarding health consequences of HPV infection. Standardization of record-keeping and distribution of educational pamphlets have been implemented to improve follow-up for HPV.

Neurologic manifestations of Zika virus infection

Zika virus is a flavivirus transmitted via mosquito bite, blood transfusion, sexual intercourse or from motherto- child during gestation. Although neurologic complications of Zika virus infection are rare, Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is the most common manifestation and typically develops soon after the initial systemic manifestations of Zika virus infection. This syndrome typically starts in the distal limbs with symmetric sensory abnormalities and progresses to involve weakness and decreased or absent deep tendon reflexes. Severe cases may also involve respiratory and cardiovascular impairment requiring care in an intensive care unit, and ventilator or circulatory support. A review of 166 published cases of GBS associated with Zika virus is notable for lower mortality than seen with sporadic GBS, but limited data regarding long-term outcome. When available, treatment with intravenous IgG (IVIg) or plasmapheresis, can reduce the severity and duration of symptoms.

El virus zika es un flavivirus transmitido a través de la mordedura de mosquito, transfusión de sangre, la relación sexual o de madre a hijo durante la gestación. Aunque las complicaciones neurológicas de la infección por el virus zika son raras, el síndrome de Guillain-Barré (GBS) es la manifestación más común y normalmente se desarrolla poco después de las manifestaciones sistémicas iniciales de la infección por el virus. Este síndrome comienza en las extremidades distales con alteraciones sensoriales simétricas y progresa hasta involucrar la debilidad y la disminución o ausencia de reflejos tendinosos profundos. Los casos graves pueden implicar deterioro respiratorio y cardiovascular, requiriendo atención en una unidad de cuidados intensivos, así como ventilador o soporte circulatorio. Una revisión de 166 casos publicados de GBS asociados con el virus zika se caracteriza por una menor mortalidad que los observados con GBS esporádica, pero los datos son limitados con respecto a resultados a largo plazo. Cuando esté disponible, el tratamiento con IgG intravenoso (IVIg) o plasmaféresis puede reducir la gravedad y duración de los síntomas.

The Changing Epidemiology of Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 Infection in Peruvian Female Sex Workers, 1993-2010.

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) was the first human retrovirus to be reported and is associated with neoplastic, neurological, autoimmune, and infectious complications. HTLV-1 is endemic in Peru, with the highest prevalence reported among commercial sex workers. Seroprevalence data collected from Peruvian female sex workers (FSWs) working in Callao over three study periods between 1993 and 2010 were used to examine the secular trend in HTLV-1 prevalence. Between 1993 and 2010, the prevalence of HTLV-1 decreased significantly from 14.5% to 3.1% (P < 0.01). The prevalence of HTLV-1 seropositivity differed significantly by birth cohort (1922-1959, 1960-1969, 1970-1979, and 1980-1992), and for each of the four birth cohorts, the prevalence did not significantly decrease by screening year (P > 0.07). There were no cases of HTLV-1 detected among FSW born after 1979 (N = 224). Participant characteristics associated with HTLV-1 seropositivity were birth in the Andes Mountains region, age, increased time in sex work, younger age of starting sex work, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositivity. The secular trend in declining prevalence persisted after adjustment for age, time in sex work, place of birth, and HIV serostatus, with the odds of HTLV-1 infection decreasing approximately 16% per year (adjusted odds ratio = 0.84, 95% confidence interval = 0.78, 0.90). The increasing use of condoms by later birth cohorts noted in our analysis, as well as the increasing availability of free condoms provided by the Peruvian government-which started in the late 1980s before this study-may have been responsible for declining HTLV seroprevalence.

Tropical Neuroinfectious Diseases.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article discusses the assessment of the patient presenting with neurologic symptoms who has lived in or traveled through tropical or subtropical regions and reviews selected nervous system infections prevalent in the tropics and subtropics, with discussion of the epidemiology, clinical features, recommended diagnostic testing, and management. RECENT FINDINGS: Increasing travel, emigration, and population growth all facilitate the global spread of tropical neurologic infections. Neurologists worldwide should be aware of the spectrum of neurologic manifestations as well as the most appropriate approach to diagnosis and management of these infections. SUMMARY: Although many infectious tropical diseases affecting the nervous system are preventable or treatable, the burden of disease remains high, with significant socioeconomic costs associated with managing acute manifestations and chronic, often debilitating, neurologic sequelae. Tropical infections of the nervous system are often transmitted in regions where people live in poverty and where access to adequate health care is limited. As with most infections of the nervous system, timely access to proper treatment is of utmost importance, as delays are typically associated with worse outcome.

Evaluation and treatment of chronic meningitis.

Chronic meningitis is defined as an inflammatory cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) profile that persists for at least 1 month. The presentation often includes headache, nausea, vomiting, cranial neuropathies, symptoms of elevated intracranial pressure, or focal neurologic deficits. The most common etiologies of chronic meningitis fall into 3 broad categories: infectious, autoimmune, and neoplastic. Evaluation of the patient with suspected chronic meningitis should include a detailed history and physical examination as well as repeated CSF diagnostics, serologic studies, and biopsy of the brain or other abnormal tissue (eg, lymph node or lung), when indicated. Early identification of the etiology and rapid treatment are crucial for improving morbidity and mortality, but potential infectious and neoplastic conditions should be excluded prior to empirically starting steroids or immunosuppressive medications.

A community-based cluster randomized survey of noncommunicable disease and risk factors in a peri-urban shantytown in Lima, Peru.

BACKGROUND: An estimated 863 million people-a third of the world's urban population-live in slums, yet there is little information on the disease burden in these settings, particularly regarding chronic preventable diseases. METHODS: From March to May 2012, we conducted a cluster randomized survey to estimate the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and associated risk factors in a peri-urban shantytown north of Lima, Peru. Field workers administered a questionnaire that included items from the WHO World Health Survey and the WHO STEPS survey of chronic disease risk factors. We used logistic regression to assess the associations of NCDs and related risk factors with age and gender. We accounted for sampling weights and the clustered sampling design using statistical survey methods. RESULTS: A total of 142 adults were surveyed and had a weighted mean age of 36 years (range 18-81). The most prevalent diseases were depression (12%) and chronic respiratory disease (8%), while lifetime prevalence of cancer, arthritis, myocardial infarction, and diabetes were all less than 5%. Fifteen percent of respondents were hypertensive and the majority (67%) was unaware of their condition. Being overweight or obese was common for both genders (53%), but abdominal obesity was more prevalent in women (54% vs. 10% in men, p < 0.001). Thirty-five percent of men binge drank and 34% reported current smoking; these behaviors were less common among women (4% binge drank, p < 0.001; 8% smoked, p = 0.002). Increasing age was associated with an increased risk of abdominal obesity (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.01, 1.07, p = 0.02), hypertension (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.02, 1.10, p = 0.006), arthritis (OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.03, 1.11, p < 0.001) and cancer (OR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.07, 1.20, p < 0.001) in adjusted models. The prevalences of other NCDs and related risk factors were similar when stratified by age or gender. CONCLUSIONS: This study underlines the important burden of noncommunicable disease in informal settlements in Peru and suggests that prevention and treatment interventions could be optimized according to age and gender.

High prevalence of human T-lymphotropic virus infection in indigenous women from the peruvian Amazon.

BACKGROUND: In an earlier study, we detected an association between human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) infection and cervical human papillomavirus (HPV) in indigenous Amazonian Peruvian women of the Shipibo-Konibo ethnic group. As both HTLV and HPV can be transmitted sexually, we now report a population-based study examining the prevalence and risk factors for HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 infection in this population. METHODS: Between July and December 2010, we conducted a comprehensive screening for HTLV among Shipibo-Konibo women 15 to 39 years of age living in two communities located in Lima and in 17 communities located within four hours by car or boat from the Amazonian city of Pucallpa in Peru. RESULTS: We screened 1,253 Shipibo-Konibo women for HTLV infection 74 (5.9%) tested positive for HTLV-1, 47 (3.8%) for HTLV-2 infection, and 4 (0.3%) had indeterminate results. In the multivariate analysis, factors associated with HTLV-1 infection included: older age (Prevalence Ratio (PR): 1.04, 95% CI 1.00-1.08), primary education or less (PR: 2.01, 95% CI: 1.25-3.24), younger or same age most recent sex partner (PR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.00-2.74), and having a most recent sex partner who worked at a logging camp (PR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.09-2.75). The only factor associated with HTLV-2 infection was older age (PR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.03-1.12). CONCLUSION: HTLV infection is endemic among Shipibo-Konibo women. Two characteristics of the sexual partner (younger age and labor history) were associated with infection in women. These results suggest the need for implementation of both HTLV screening during the antenatal healthcare visits of Shipibo-Konibo women, and counseling about the risk of HTLV transmission through prolonged breastfeeding in infected women. We also recommend the implementation of prevention programs to reduce sexual transmission of these viruses.

Other cestodes: sparganosis, coenurosis and Taenia crassiceps cysticercosis.

Many cestodes are capable of invading the central nervous system (CNS), and several are highly prevalent in the developing world. Neurocysticercosis due to Taenia solium and echinococcosis due to Echinoccocus granulosus are two of the most common parasitic infections affecting humans, but other less well-known parasites can also infect the nervous system. Coenurosis, caused by Taenia spp. such as T. multiceps, T. serialis, or T. brauni; sparganosis, caused by Spirometra spp., and neurocysticercosis caused by T. crassiceps are three less frequent zoonotic conditions that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with CNS infection - especially if they have lived in or traveled through areas where these infections are endemic. Diagnosis of these infections is typically made through a combination of serological testing, histopathology, and neuroimaging.

Evidence-based guideline: treatment of parenchymal neurocysticercosis: report of the Guideline Development Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology.

OBJECTIVE: To review the evidence base for different treatment strategies in intraparenchymal neurocysticercosis in adults and children. METHOD: A literature search of Medline, EMBASE, LILACS, and the Cochrane Database from 1980 to 2008, updated in 2012, resulted in the identification of 10 Class I or Class II trials of cysticidal drugs administered with or without corticosteroids in the treatment of neurocysticercosis. RESULTS: The available data demonstrate that albendazole therapy, administered with or without corticosteroids, is probably effective in decreasing both long-term seizure frequency and the number of cysts demonstrable radiologically in adults and children with neurocysticercosis, and is well-tolerated. There is insufficient information to assess the efficacy of praziquantel. RECOMMENDATIONS: Albendazole plus either dexamethasone or prednisolone should be considered for adults and children with neurocysticercosis, both to decrease the number of active lesions on brain imaging studies (Level B) and to reduce long-term seizure frequency (Level B). The evidence is insufficient to support or refute the use of steroid treatment alone in patients with intraparenchymal neurocysticercosis (Level U).

Chronic and subacute meningitis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article describes the background, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of selected etiologies of subacute and chronic meningitis. Key diagnostic considerations when evaluating a patient presenting with chronic inflammation of the CNS are discussed, and several specific infectious, neoplastic, and autoimmune etiologies are reviewed in detail. RECENT FINDINGS: With recent advancement in serologic and CSF diagnostic testing, specific infectious, neoplastic, or autoimmune etiologies of chronic meningitis can be identified. Eliminating previous diagnostic uncertainty of chronic inflammation in the CNS has led to rapid and specific treatment regimens that ultimately improve patient outcomes. Recent advances in imaging have also aided clinicians in both their diagnostic approach and the detection of inflammatory complications such as hydrocephalus, hemorrhage, and ischemic stroke. SUMMARY: Meningitis is defined as inflammation involving the meninges of the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can be categorized as acute, subacute, or chronic based on duration of inflammation. This article focuses on the most common causes of subacute and chronic meningitis. Chronic meningitis is commonly defined as inflammation evolving during weeks to months without resolution of CSF abnormalities. Determining the time course of meningitis is important for creating a differential diagnosis. Most organisms causing acute meningitis rarely persist more than a few weeks. Although numerous etiologies of subacute and chronic meningitis have been identified, this article focuses on the most common etiologies: (1) infectious, (2) autoimmune, and (3) neoplastic.

Association between human papillomavirus and human T-lymphotropic virus in indigenous women from the Peruvian Amazon.

BACKGROUND: No association between the Human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV), an oncogenic virus that alters host immunity, and the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) has previously been reported. Examining the association between these two viruses may permit the identification of a population at increased risk for developing cervical cancer. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Between July 2010 and February 2011, we conducted a cross-sectional study among indigenous Amazonian Peruvian women from the Shipibo-Konibo ethnic group, a group with endemic HTLV infection. We recruited women between 15 and 39 years of age who were living in the cities of Lima and Ucayali. Our objectives were to determine the association between HTLV and: (i) HPV infection of any type, and (ii) high-risk HPV type infection. Sexually active Shipibo-Konibo women were screened for HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 infections. All HTLV-1 or -2 positive women, along with two community-matched HTLV negative sexually active Shipibo-Konibo controls were later tested for the presence of HPV DNA, conventional cytology, and HIV. We screened 1,253 Shipibo-Konibo women, observing a prevalence of 5.9% (n = 74) for HTLV-1 and 3.8% (n = 47) for HTLV-2 infections. We enrolled 62 (60.8%) HTLV-1 positive women, 40 (39.2%) HTLV-2 positive women, and 205 community-matched HTLV negative controls. HTLV-1 infection was strongly associated with HPV infection of any type (43.6% vs. 29.3%; Prevalence Ratio (PR): 2.10, 95% CI: 1.53-2.87), and with high-risk HPV infection (32.3% vs. 22.4%; PR: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.04-3.59). HTLV-2 was not significantly associated with either of these HPV infections. CONCLUSIONS: HTLV-1 infection was associated with HPV infection of any type and with high-risk HPV infection. Future longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate the incidence of high-risk HPV infection as well as the incidence of cervical neoplasia among HTLV-1 positive women.

Human papillomavirus infection in men who have sex with men in Lima, Peru.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection among men who have sex with men (MSM) is the primary risk factor for anal cancer. Of 105 Peruvian MSM examined, 77.1% were infected with HPV; of these 79.0% were coinfected with two or more types and 47.3% were infected by a carcinogenic type. HPV types 53, 6, 16, and 58 were the most frequent HPV infections detected. High-risk HPV type infection was associated with sex work, HIV status, and having rectal chlamydial or gonorrheal infection. These findings support broadening HPV vaccine coverage and increasing surveillance for the development of cancer in MSM infected with HPV.