Infección comunitaria por Clostridium difficile asociada a colitis ulcerativa idiopática / Community Clostridium difficile infection associated to idiopathic ulcerative colitis

RESUMEN Clostridium difficile es una bacteria relacionada con la colitis, asociada a antibióticos y a la diarrea adquirida en pacientes hospitalizados. Sin embargo, su comportamiento ha cambiado en los últimos años, hasta el punto de ser considerada un problema de salud mundial. Su curso clínico varía desde casos asintomáticos, colitis, hasta complicaciones que ponen en peligro la vida del paciente. Dentro de los factores de riesgo descritos se encuentra la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal, especialmente la colitis ulcerativa idiopática. El caso reportado versa sobre la presentación de esta infección asociada a un brote de colitis ulcerativa en un paciente joven, sin antecedentes de enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal, consumo de antibióticos ni hospitalización (AU).

ABSTRACT Clostridium difficile is a bacterium related to antibiotic-associated colitis and to diarrhea acquired in hospitalized patients. However, its behavior has changed in recent years to the point of being considered as a global health problem. Its clinical course ranges from asymptomatic cases, colitis, to complications with risk for the patient's life. The inflammatory bowel disease, especially idiopathic ulcerative colitis is found among the described risk factors. The case reported deals with the presentation of this infection associated to an outbreak of ulcerative colitis in a young patient, with no previous history of inflammatory bowel disease, consumption of antibiotics or hospitalization (AU).

Patterns and processes of pathogen exposure in gray wolves across North America.

The presence of many pathogens varies in a predictable manner with latitude, with infections decreasing from the equator towards the poles. We investigated the geographic trends of pathogens infecting a widely distributed carnivore: the gray wolf (Canis lupus). Specifically, we investigated which variables best explain and predict geographic trends in seroprevalence across North American wolf populations and the implications of the underlying mechanisms. We compiled a large serological dataset of nearly 2000 wolves from 17 study areas, spanning 80° longitude and 50° latitude. Generalized linear mixed models were constructed to predict the probability of seropositivity of four important pathogens: canine adenovirus, herpesvirus, parvovirus, and distemper virus-and two parasites: Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii. Canine adenovirus and herpesvirus were the most widely distributed pathogens, whereas N. caninum was relatively uncommon. Canine parvovirus and distemper had high annual variation, with western populations experiencing more frequent outbreaks than eastern populations. Seroprevalence of all infections increased as wolves aged, and denser wolf populations had a greater risk of exposure. Probability of exposure was positively correlated with human density, suggesting that dogs and synanthropic animals may be important pathogen reservoirs. Pathogen exposure did not appear to follow a latitudinal gradient, with the exception of N. caninum. Instead, clustered study areas were more similar: wolves from the Great Lakes region had lower odds of exposure to the viruses, but higher odds of exposure to N. caninum and T. gondii; the opposite was true for wolves from the central Rocky Mountains. Overall, mechanistic predictors were more informative of seroprevalence trends than latitude and longitude. Individual host characteristics as well as inherent features of ecosystems determined pathogen exposure risk on a large scale. This work emphasizes the importance of biogeographic wildlife surveillance, and we expound upon avenues of future research of cross-species transmission, spillover, and spatial variation in pathogen infection.

Selection criteria of solid organ donors in relation to infectious diseases: A Spanish consensus.

The immunosuppressive treatment that recipients receive from a solid organ transplantation hinders the defensive response to infection. Its transmission from the donor can cause dysfunction or loss of the graft and even death of the recipient if proper preventive measures are not established. This potential risk should be thoroughly evaluated to minimise the risk of infection transmission from donor to recipient, especially with organ transplantation from donors with infections, without increasing graft dysfunction and morbidity and mortality in the recipient. This document aims to review current knowledge about infection screening in potential donors and offer clinical and microbiological recommendations about the use of organs from donors with infection based on available scientific evidence.

Is dialysis water a safe component for hemodialysis treatment in São Paulo State, Brazil?

Failure on the water treatment poses hemodialysis patients at risk of injury and death. Identifying if the patients are exposed to water quality related microbiological risks is an important objective to reduce the mortality for chronic renal patients and is the main issue of this study. We evaluated the microbiological water quality used by 205 dialysis services in São Paulo State, Brazil between 2010 to 2016. The study included heterotrophic bacteria count, total coliforms research, and bacterial endotoxin determination in 1366 dialysis water samples. The number of unsatisfactory clinics for at least one microbiological parameter decreased 16.0% between 2010 to 2015 but increased 57.2% in 2016. In 2010, the most frequent unsatisfactory parameter was related to heterotrophic bacteria count (54.8%) followed by endotoxin determination (45.2%). However, in 2013 an opposite situation was observed: endotoxin determination as the parameter of the higher incidence of nonconformities. Total coliform was verified at a lower frequency. We highlighted the importance of regular monitoring of dialysis water quality to prevent infections caused by dialytic procedures and to ensure that the water is a safe component of the treatment.

[The efficiency of different systems of screening of markers of infections in blood donors].

The article presents comparison of results of screening of specific serological markers of hemo-transmissive infections in the Republic of Kazakhstan under application of open (2008, n=257 850) and closed (2008, n=312 510) systems. In 2014, according to the results of screening of markers of infections number of individuals rejected of donors were on 2688 persons less than in 2008. The percentage of rejected individuals decreased on 37.9%. In 2014, number of unconfirmed primarily positive results decreased on 1309 dosages as compared with 2008. The percentage of blood culling decreased on 40.3%.

Infestação e controle de Cimex lectularius em abrigos públicos no município de Belo Horizonte/MG

Nos últimos anos vários autores têm relatado a ressurgência de infestações por percevejos de cama ao redor do mundo. Em meados de 2013 foi detectada a infestação por Cimex lectularius em abrigos municipais de Belo Horizonte/MG. Diversas ações foram direcionadas para o controle da praga, tais como a troca de colchões e o uso de inseticida da classe dos piretróides, mas a população de insetos não diminuiu. O objetivo desse trabalho foi caracterizar a infestação de C. lectulariusnos abrigos públicos do município de Belo Horizonte/MG e propor ações de controle. As 16 ocorrências de infestações registradas entre 2010 e 2016 foram georreferenciadas pelo software MapInfo Professional – Versão 10.0. Além disso, foram realizadas vistorias em quatro abrigos públicos municipais infestados para a caracterização dos perfis epidemiológicos da infestação nesses locais. Também foram realizados testes de contato com 10 inseticidas comerciais em laboratório. Nesses bioensaios de laboratório utilizaram-se 30 percevejos de cama adultos coletados em dois abrigos municipais em dois momentos diferentes que foram expostos por 24 horas a papéis impregnados com inseticidas, realizando-se a leitura da mortalidade 24 horas após a exposição. Por fim, foram realizados testes de campo em um abrigo público infestado utilizando-se os produtos que apresentaram os melhores resultados em laboratório. Nesses bioensaios de campo consideraram-se as camas como as unidades de estudo e realizaram-se vistorias antes e depois da borrifação com os produtos químicos. Baseado nessas informações foi proposta uma metodologia de controle

As ocorrências de infestações por cimicídeos se encontraram dispersas pelo município, se concentrando na regional Centro-Sul. Os quatro abrigos municipais estudados apresentaram níveis de infestações diferentes, sendo influenciado pela estrutura física e pela dinâmica de funcionamento de cada local. O Albergue Tia Branca apresentou a pior situação. Os testes em laboratório mostraram que apenas o carbamato Propoxur 1% apresentou mortalidade de 100% dos insetos expostos e houve resistência a quase todos os produtos formulados com a classe dos piretróides. Dentre os piretróides, apenas a Bifentrina 20% apresentou resultado promissor. Os testes em campo mostraram que foi possível eliminar as infestações com o uso combinado de dois carbamatos. A metodologia de controle proposta pressupõe que todo o ambiente infestado deve ser borrifado com inseticidas de ação residual a cada três meses e necessita permanecer interditado por sete dias. Apesar de não haver registrado o aumento no número de infestações por cimicídeos na capital mineira, a situação é preocupante nos albergues municipais. Além disso, a resistência dos insetos a vários inseticidas disponíveis no mercado e a dificuldade de controlar as infestações torna o problema relevante. É imprescindível que se institua no sistema de saúde municipal uma rotina de vigilância entomológica, para que as infestações sejam prevenidas, descobertas precocemente e controladas

Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns among bacteria isolated from intensive care units of the largest teaching hospital at the northwest of Iran

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns among common pathogens in the intensive care units (ICUs) of a university hospital in northwestern Iran. A retrospective study was done on laboratory records of patients with nosocomial infection who were admitted to five ICUs of Imam Reza Hospital during a 21-month period from March 2010 to January, 2012. A total number of 556 isolates from 328 patients were evaluated. The most common sites of infections included respiratory (51.7%), urinary (24.8%), and blood (10.4%). The most frequently isolated microorganisms were Enterobacter aerogenes (50.6%) followed by Escherichia coli (16.7%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (7.5%). Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequent pathogen among gram-positives (39.7%). The rate of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was 87.5%. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) gram-negative bacteria were documented in 25.8% of Acinetobacter, 20% of Klebsiella, and 16.6% of Pseudomonas. The most active antimicrobials were vancomycin (93.5%) followed by amikacin (71.5%) and gentamicin (46%). The overall antibiotic susceptibility was as follows: 36% ciprofloxacin, 19% imipenem, 20% trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, 20.5% ceftazidime, and 12% ceftriaxone. Due to the high rate of antimicrobial resistance in the ICU setting, more surveillance and control of the use of antimicrobials is needed to combat infections.

Future Challenges for Vaccinologists.

Vaccination is one of the cheapest health-care interventions that have saved more lives than any other drugs or therapies. Due to successful immunization programs we rarely hear about some of the common diseases of the early twentieth century including small pox and polio. Vaccination programs have also helped to increase food production notably poultry, cattle, and milk production due to lower incidence of infectious diseases in farm animals. Though vaccination programs have eradicated several diseases and increased the quality of life there are several diseases that have no effective vaccines. Currently there are no vaccines for cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune diseases, as well as infectious diseases like tuberculosis, AIDS, and parasitic diseases including malaria. Abuse of antibiotics has resulted in the generation of several antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains; hence there is a need to develop novel vaccines for antibiotic-resistant microorganisms. Changes in climate is another concern for vaccinologists. Climate change could lead to generation of new strains of infectious microorganisms that would require development of novel vaccines. Use of conventional vaccination strategies to develop vaccines has severe limitations; hence innovative strategies are essential in the development of novel and effective vaccines.

Serious adverse events and reactions in organ transplantation; a web-net tool-based nationwide system for reporting and monitoring.

Organ transplantation is vulnerable to serious adverse reactions and events, which require a system for their monitoring and management, as required of EU Member States by Directive 2010/53/EU. A management system was implemented in Poland using modern network technologies through the following steps: 1) the development of a catalogue of events and reactions, 2) the preparation and implementation of the network module, 3) the operational procedures, 4) the evaluation system. The catalogue consists of reactions and events in recipients and living donors related to organ procurement. A referral system was introduced as a module of a web tool www.rejestry.net (400 participated institutions). Notification includes information regarding the location, type, description, analysis, and measures taken to resolve and prevent problems. During the period 2012-2013, 17 serious adverse events and 112 reactions were documented among 3223 transplanted organs (events in 0.5% and reactions in 3.4% of the cases). The major cases included: transplantation from a donor with neoplasia, early recipient death, early graft loss, and transmission of severe infection. Evaluation revealed underestimated number of notifications of "death of recipient within 30 post-transplant days", which reported 74 of the 92 reactions (80%) occurring in reality. The system is a platform for self-assessment and the dissemination of information regarding the potential dangers, including alarms in cases in which an event/reaction in one center is accessible to others. However, the system is not punitive, because the fear of disclosing failures in the transplant centers plays an important role in the monitoring process.

Cardiac transplantation from infected donors: is it safe?

BACKGROUND: Transplantation of a cardiac allograft from an infected donor risks transmission of disease to the immunocompromised recipient. Such organs are often not utilized despite little supporting evidence. We sought to evaluate outcomes following cardiac transplant with the use of an infected allograft. METHODS: The UNOS/OPTN database was used to identify first time, adult heart transplant recipients from 1995 to 2009. Patients receiving allografts from blood culture positive donor (CPD) were compared to those who did not (NCPD). RESULTS: A total of 26,813 recipients were included. Nine hundred ninety-five (3.7%) received a heart from a CPD. Recipients of hearts from CPDs were more likely to be diabetic (24% vs. 20%, p = 0.01), hypertensive (42% vs. 38%, p = 0.02), status 1 (80% vs. 76%, p = 0.0021), have a BMI > 30 (19% vs. 16%, p = 0.001), on intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) support (7% vs. 5%, p = 0.017), and worse functional status. Recipients with a CPD were more likely to be treated for a post-transplant infection (28% vs. 23%, p = 0.003) but not for an episode of rejection in the first year after transplantation (39% vs. 40%, p = 0.73). Receipt of a CPD allograft was not a multivariate predictor for mortality. CPD and NCPD survival was similar at one year (86% vs. 87%, p = 0.2585) and 15 years (34% vs. 36%, p = 0.0929). CONCLUSION: Use of allografts from CPD has no influence on survival despite the fact that these recipients tend to have a higher acuity and more comorbidities at the time of transplantation. Utilization of a heart from a donor with a confirmed blood stream infection should be carefully considered.

Stored red blood cell transfusions: iron, inflammation, immunity, and infection.

Emily Cooley was a highly regarded medical technologist and morphologist. The "Emily Cooley Lectureship and Award" was established to honor her, in particular, and medical technologists, in general. This article reviews some basic concepts about the "life of a red blood cell" (RBC) and uses these to discuss the actual and potential consequences that occur in patients after clearance of transfused refrigerator storage-damaged RBCs by extravascular hemolysis.

Infecção congênita em cabritos por Mycoplasma agalactiae / Congenital infection by Mycoplasma agalactiae in goat kids

This study aimed to report three cases of contagious agalactia (CA) by Mycoplasma agalactiae in goat kids born with polyarthritis. The nanny goats belonging to two different herds presented clinical signs of CA during pregnancy and in parturition they were apparently healthy. The carpal articulations of the three goat kids, the tarsus articulation in one, and thigh-femoral articulation in another showed swelling, pain and impairment of the flexion-extension movements. The articular liquid was collected from two goat kids at birth and revealed a content which varied from transparent to fibrinopurulent, presenting a yellow coloring. The samples were plated on modified Hayflick. The colonies had the appearance of "fried egg" and were confirmed as being M. agalactiae by biochemical tests and 16S rRNA PCR. Blood was collected from three animals soon after birth and submitted to the indirect ELISA test for the determination of the titration of the anti- M. agalactiae antibodies. The results confirmed that the goat kids were infected during pregnancy by M. agalactiae and resulted in the birth of an offspring with clinical signs of CA being immune tolerant...

Risk of infection due to medical interventions via central venous catheters or implantable venous access port systems at the middle port of a three-way cock: luer lock cap vs. luer access split septum system (Q-Syte).

BACKGROUND: Many cancer patients receive a central venous catheter or port system prior to therapy to assure correct drug administration. Even appropriate hygienic intervention maintenance carries the risk of contaminating the middle port (C-port) of a three-way cock (TWC), a risk that increases with the number of medical interventions. Because of the complexity of the cleaning procedure with disconnection and reconnection of the standard luer lock cap (referred as "intervention"), we compared luer lock caps with a "closed access system" consisting of a luer access split septum system with regard to process optimization (work simplification, process time), efficiency (costs) and hygiene (patient safety). METHODS: For determination of process optimization the workflow of an intervention according to the usual practice and risks was depicted in a process diagram. For determining the actual process costs, we analyzed use of material and time parameters per intervention and used the process parameters for programming the process into a simulation run (n = 1000) to determine the process costs as well as their differences (ACTUAL vs. NOMINAL) within the framework of a discrete event simulation.Additionally cultures were carried out at the TWC C-ports to evaluate possible contamination. RESULTS: With the closed access system, the mean working time of 5.5 minutes could be reduced to 2.97 minutes. The results for average process costs (labour and material costs per use) were 3.92 € for luer lock caps and 2.55 € for the closed access system. The hypothesis test (2-sample t-test, CI 0.95, p-value<0.05) confirmed the significance of the result.In 50 reviewed samples (TWC's), the contamination rate for the luer lock cap was 8% (4 out of 50 samples were positive), the contamination rate of the 50 samples with the closed access system was 0%.Possible hygienic risks (related to material, surroundings, staff handling) could be reduced by 65.38%. CONCLUSIONS: In the present research, the closed access system with a divided split septum was superior to conventional luer lock caps. The advantage of the closed access system lies in the simplified handling for staff, which results in a reduced risk of patient infection due to improved clinical hygiene.

Infection transmission and chronic disease models in the study of infection-associated cancers.

In the last three decades, the appreciation of the role of infections in cancer aetiology has greatly expanded. Among the 13 million new cancer cases that occurred worldwide in 2008, around 2 million (16%) were attributable to infections. Concurrently, the approach to prevention of infection-related cancers is shifting from cancer control to infection control, for example, vaccination and the detection of infected individuals. In support of this change, the use of infection transmission models has entered the field of infection-related cancer epidemiology. These models are useful to understand the infection transmission processes, to estimate the key parameters that govern the spread of infection, and to project the potential impact of different preventive measures. However, the concepts, terminology, and methods used to study infection transmission are not yet well known in the domain of cancer epidemiology. This review aims to concisely illustrate the main principles of transmission dynamics, the basic structure of infection transmission models, and their use in combination with empirical data. We also briefly summarise models of carcinogenesis and discuss their specificities and possible integration with models of infection natural history.

Estudo da infecção natural de Lutzomyia longipalpis por Leishmania infantum e a flutuação mensal de flebotomíneos coletados no município de Camaçari, Estado da Bahia / Study of natural infection of Lutzomyia longipalpis by Leishmania infantum and the monthly fluctuation of sandflies collected in Camaçari, State of Bahia

No município de Camaçari, considerado área endêmica para leishmaniose visceral (LV), foi realizado estudo objetivando determinar a influência das variáveis climáticas sobre a flutuação mensal da população flebotomínica e a taxa de infecção natural desses flebotomíneos por Leishmania infantum. Para o levantamento entomológico foram realizadas capturas sistemáticas de flebotomíneos utilizando armadilhas tipo HP, tanto no peri como no intradomicílio. As residências foram selecionadas em bairros pertencentes a zona urbana orla e zona urbana sede, onde casos humanos de LV no foram registrados município. As capturas foram realizadas entre dezembro de 2011 e novembro de 2012. A relação entre pluviosidade, umidade relativa do ar e temperatura e a proporção de flebotomíneos foi calculada utilizando o coeficiente de Spearman. Para o estudo da infecção natural dos flebotomíneos foi utilizada a técnica de qPCR. Os pools avaliados foram compostos por flebotomíneos da mesma espécie, distribuídos pelas residências, ás quais foram investigadas no intra e peridomicilio. Além disso, os pools foram distribuídos de acordo com os 12 meses de coleta. Os resultados mostraram que a fauna flebotomínica é diversificada, sendo composta por quatro gêneros com ocorrência de cinco espécies. Espécimes de interesse epidemiológico foram encontrados com predominância para a espécie Lutzomyia (Lutzomyia) longipalpis (98,4%). Foi observada correlação positiva entre a densidade de flebotomíneos e a variável pluviosidade na zona urbana sede durante o período de coleta (r = 0,66, p <0,02). A correlação entre as variáveis bioclimáticas e a densidade dos flebotomíneos também foi avaliada em bairros que se destacaram individualmente pela densidade de flebotomíneos, sendo encontrado correlação positiva para a variável umidade relativa do ar (r = 0,58 p <0,04)...

In Camaçari city, considered an endemic area for visceral leishmaniasis (VL), the study was conducted aiming to determine the climatic variables influence on the sandflies monthly fluctuation and the natural infection rates by Leishmania infantum in the sandflies. The entomological inventory was performed with sandflies systematic captures using HP traps, both in peridomiciliar well as in intradomiciliar. The residences were selected in districts belonging to the coastline urban zone and headquarters urban zone, where human cases of VL were recorded in the city. Captures were performed between December 2011 and November 2012. The correlation between the number of sandflies and the different climatic variables was calculated using Spearman's coefficient. The sandfly natural infection was evaluated by qPCR technique. Pools reviews were composed by sand flies of the same species, distributed among households, which were investigated in peridomiciliare and intradomiciliare. Additionally, pools were distributed according to the 12-month sampling. The results showed that the phlebotomine fauna is diverse, consisting of four genera and five species. Specimens of epidemiological interest were found predominantly for Lutzomyia (Lutzomyia) longipalpis (98.4%). In addition, a positive correlation between sandfly density and pluviosity at headquarters urban zone was observed during the collection period. (r = 0.66, p <0.02). The correlation between bioclimatic variables and density of sandflies was also evaluated in neighborhoods that stood out individually by the sandfly density. A positive correlation was observed for the variable relative humidity during the collection period (r = 0.58 p <0.04)...

Efficacy of direct detection of pathogens in naturally infected mice by using a high-density PCR array.

We used a high-density array of real-time PCR assays for commonly reported rodent infectious agents (PRIA) to test naturally infected index mice and sentinel mice exposed by contact and soiled-bedding transfer. PRIA detected 14 pathogens--including viruses, bacteria, fur mites, pinworms, and enteric protozoa--in 97.2% of 28 pooled fecal samples, fur-perianal swabs, and oral swabs from 4 cages containing a total of 10 index mice. Among these pathogens, PRIA (like conventional health monitoring methods) failed to detect Mycoplasma pulmonis, Pasteurella pneumotropica, and Giardia spp. in all of the 9 contact and 9 soiled-bedding sentinels. PRIA demonstrated murine adenovirus and Cryptosporidium and Spironucleus spp. in contact but not soiled-bedding sentinels and detected Helicobacter and pinworms in fewer than half of the soiled-bedding sentinels. Of the 4 species of Helicobacter that species-specific PCR assays identified in index mice, only H. ganmani was found in soiled-bedding and contact sentinels. PRIA detected all of the pathogens in sentinels that were identified by conventional methods. Myobia musculi was detected by PCR in index and sentinel mice but missed by conventional parasitologic examinations. In summary, PRIA reproducibly detected diverse pathogens in heavily pooled specimens collected noninvasively from infected index mice antemortem. The inability of PRIA and conventional health monitoring methods (that is, parasitology, micro-biology, and serology) to demonstrate transmission of some pathogens to contact sentinels and the inefficient transmission of others to soiled-bedding sentinels underscores the importance of direct PCR testing to determine the pathogen status of rodents in quarantine and during routine colony surveillance.

Procedimentos de biossegurança adotados por profissionais de serviços de embelezamento / Biosafety procedures adopted by beauty professionals

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar procedimentos de biossegurança adotados por profissionais de manicure, pedicure, tatuagem, piercing e maquiagem definitiva em Jacareí-SP. Utilizou-se abordagem descritiva e observacional de corte transversal. A pesquisa de campo foi realizada entre maio e junho de 2011. Foram feitas quarenta entrevistas com profissionais de estabelecimentos localizados no centro e nos dez bairros mais populosos. Utilizou-se questionário para avaliar conhecimentos e atitudes dos profissionais e um formulário para a observação de seus procedimentos e estrutura física dos estabelecimentos. Verificou-se falta de conhecimento sobre biossegurança pelos profissionais e deficiência na regulamentação desses serviços. Embora 55 por cento dos profissionais tenham realizado treinamento, seus procedimentos e a infraestrutura dos estabelecimentos foram favoráveis ​​à transmissão de doenças. Sobre os processos de limpeza, desinfecção e esterilização de instrumentais, nenhum dos entrevistados sabia o tempo e a temperatura ideal para a esterilização, 57,5 por cento tinham equipamento inadequado para sua realização e 80 por cento não tinham termostato ou termômetro no equipamento para a conferência da temperatura. Apenas 57,5 por cento acreditavam que poderiam transmitir doenças durante sua prática profissional. Quarenta e cinco por cento dos entrevistados relataram ter tido contato com sangue sem luvas. Outro problema observado foi a reutilização de materiais descartáveis. Somente 10 por cento possuíam área específica para a esterilização de instrumentais. Evidenciou-se a necessidade de formação de qualidade sobre boas práticas de biossegurança a esses profissionais, além de normas e diretrizes pormenorizadas para a prevenção de infecções nesses serviços, bem como a melhoria da vigilância nesses estabelecimentos.

The objective of this study was to investigate biosafety procedures adopted by manicure, pedicure, tattoo, piercing and permanent makeup professionals in Jacareí-SP. We used a descriptive, observational and cross-sectional approach. The field research was conducted between May and June 2011. Forty professionals were surveyed in the downtown area and in the ten most populated districts of the municipality. We used a questionnaire to assess knowledge and attitudes of professionals as well as a formulary for the observation of professional procedures and physical structure of establishments. It has been found that professionals lack knowledge on biosafety procedures, and that the regulation of these services was deficient. Although 55% of professionals have attended to training courses, their procedures and establishments' infrastructure were favorable to disease transmission. Regarding the processes for cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing instruments, none of interviewed knew the ideal time and temperature for sterilization, 57.5% had inadequate equipment for it and 80% had no thermostat or thermometer in the equipment for checking the temperature. Only 57.5% believed they could transmit infectious diseases during their professional practice. Forty-five percent of respondents reported having had contact with blood without wearing gloves. Another problem observed was the reuse of disposable material. Only 10% had a specific area for sterilizing instruments. The results demonstrated the need for providing to these professionals quality training on good biosafety practices and standards, detailed guidelines for the prevention of infections in these services as well as improvement on these establishments' surveillance.

Adverse reactions after tattooing: review of the literature and comparison to results of a survey.

The number of tattooed people has substantially increased in the past years. Surveys in different countries reveal this to be up to 24% of the population. The number of reported adverse reactions after tattooing has also increased including infections, granulomatous and allergic reactions and tumors. However, the case reports do not reflect the frequency of adverse reactions. This review compares the medically documented adverse reactions published in 1991-2011 with the findings of a nation-wide survey that recently revealed the features and health problems associated with tattoos. To compare the data with the survey, the sex of patients was reported and the location and color of tattoos were evaluated. The results show clearly that colored tattoo inks are mainly responsible for adverse skin reactions and that tattoos on the extremities are involved most.