ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND Trypanosoma cruzi shows an exuberant genetic diversity. Currently, seven phylogenetic lineages, called discrete typing units (DTUs), are recognised: TcI-TcVI and Tcbat. Despite advances in studies on T. cruzi and its populations, there is no consensus regarding its heterogeneity. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to perform molecular characterisation of T. cruzi strains, isolated in the state of São Paulo, to identify the DTUs involved and evaluate their genetic diversity. METHODS T. cruzi strains were isolated from biological samples of chronic chagasic patients, marsupials and triatomines through culture techniques and subjected to molecular characterisation using the fluorescent fragment length barcoding (FFLB) technique. Subsequently, the results were correlated with complementary information to enable better discrimination between the identified DTUs. FINDINGS It was possible to identify TcI in two humans and two triatomines; TcII/VI in 19 humans, two marsupials and one triatomine; and TcIII in one human host, an individual that also presented a result for TcI, which indicated the possibility of a mixed infection. Regarding the strains characterised by the TcII/VI profile, the correlation with complementary information allowed to suggest that, in general, these parasite populations indeed correspond to the TcII genotype. MAIN CONCLUSIONS The TcII/VI profile, associated with domestic cycles and patients with chronic Chagas disease, was the most prevalent among the identified DTUs. Furthermore, the correlation of the study results with complementary information made it possible to suggest that TcII is the predominant lineage of this work.
ABSTRACT
A insuficiência cardíaca (IC) é uma síndrome, de alta prevalência, comprometendo a qualidade de vida (QV). Objetivo: Testamos a hipótese de que um programa seqüencial de educação e monitorização (DMP), pode modificar os componentes do questionário Minnesota Living Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) aplicado a pacientes com IC em seguimento ambulatorial. Métodos: Esta investigação é uma extensão do estudo REMADHE, prospectivo, randomizado, com grupo intervenção (GI) submetido a um DMP, versus grupo controle (GC). A QV foi avaliada pelo MLHFQ, aplicado na inclusão no estudo, a cada seis meses até os dois anos de seguimento, e após anualmente. Incluímos 412 pacientes, 60,5% do sexo masculino, e fração de ejeção de ventrículo esquerdo de 34,7 ±10,5%. Resultados: No GI ocorreu melhora significativa em todos os componentes do MLHFQ (53 ±23vs.29 ±19,p=0,007), da dimensão física (24 ±10 vs.13 ±9, p=0,0002), da dimensão emocional (13 ±7vs.9 ±7,p=0,02) e demais questões (21 ±9vs.11 ±7,p=0,001). No GI houve melhora de sobrevida livre de eventos (óbito e internação) (p<0,001), houve relação entre o escore da QV após a inclusão e a sobrevida, mas não com a QV de vida basal (p=0,7). A QV demonstrou ser um fator independente na determinação de sobrevida livre de eventos. Na avaliação dos gêneros, ambos demonstraram melhora significativa, mas no masculino a melhora ocorreu tardiamente em relação ao feminino. Conclusão: Este programa de educação e monitorização continua em longo prazo melhorou a QV e seus componentes em pacientes em acompanhamento ambulatorial. Entretanto, os componentes da QV podem responder diferentemente a intervenção.
Heart failure (HF) is a high prevalence syndrome, pledging the quality of life (QL). Objective: We tested the hypothesis that a sequential program of education and monitoring (DMP) may modify the components of Minnesota Heart Failure Living Questionnaire (MLHFQ) on outpatient patients with HF. Methods: This research is an extension of the REMADHE study, prospective, randomized with an intervention group (IG) subje ted to a DMP, versus a ontrol group (CG). QL was evaluated by MLHFQ applied the inclusion in the study, every six months to the following up two years, and there after annually. We included 412 patients, 60.5% were male, and 34.7 ± 10.5% of left ventricle ejection fraction. Results: In GI, there was a significant improvement in all MLHFQ components (53 ± 23vs.29 ± 19, p =0.007), physical dimension (24 ± 10 vs. 13 ± 9, p =0.0002), emotional dimension (13 ± 7vs.9 ± 7,p =0.02) and other issues (21 ± 9vs.11 ± 7,p =0.001). In GI, there was an improvement in event free survival (death and hospitalization) (p < 0.001) there was a relation between the QL scores after inclusion and survival, but not with the life baseline QL (p =0.7). Quality of life proved to be an independent factor in determining event free survival. In genres assessment, both showed significant improvement, but in males the improvement occurred late in relation to females. Conclusion: This education and monitoring program continues for a long term to improve QL and its components on the follow up of outpatient patients. However, the components of QL may respond differently to intervention.