Práticas coletivas e individuais associadas à dificuldade dos enfermeiros da atenção primária à saúde / Collective and individual practices associated with the difficulty of primary health care nurses / Prácticas coletivas e individuais asociadas a la dificultad de las enfermeras de atención primaria de salud

Objetivo: analisar as práticas individuais e coletivas que estão associadas as dificuldades dos enfermeiros que atuam na Atenção Primária à Saúde da região Norte. Métodos: observacional de prevalência e analítico. Foram incluídos enfermeiros da atenção básica. A coleta ocorreu entre novembro de 2019 a agosto de 2021, nos sete estados do Norte, através de um formulário eletrônico, analisados pelos testes binomial, quiquadrado e G no programa Bioestat. Resultados: Entre os 626 enfermeiros do estudo, 15,7% (98/626) afirmaram ter dificuldade no exercício de suas práticas, quanto à autonomia das suas responsabilidades normativas legais. O Amapá teve menor proporção (8,3%; 9/108) de enfermeiros com dificuldade em relação a região. As práticas associadas a dificuldade foram: a não participação do enfermeiro no gerenciamento dos insumos (p=0,03), realizar consulta eventualmente (p=0,03) e nunca prescrever medicamentos (p=0,02); resolutividade insuficiente na consulta pré-natal (p=0,000), acompanhamento de crescimento e desenvolvimento infantil (p=0,001); planejamento familiar (p=0,000); hanseníase (p=0,005); tuberculose (p=0,031); hipertensão arterial (p<0,0001); diabetes (p<0,0001). Conclusão: As dificuldades quanto à autonomia das responsabilidades normativas legais estão associadas a práticas individuais e coletivas que são privativas do enfermeiro e estão regulamentadas nos programas de saúde pública. (AU)

Objective: to analyze the individual and collective practices that are associated with the difficulties of nurses who work in Primary Health Care in the North region. Methods: observational of prevalence and analytical. Primary care nurses were included. The collection took place between November 2019 and August 2021, in the seven states of the North, through an electronic form, analyzed by the binomial, chi-square and G tests in the Bioestat program. Results: Among the 626 nurses in the study, 15.7% (98/626) stated that they had difficulty in exercising their practices, regarding the autonomy of their legal normative responsibilities. Amapá had a lower proportion (8.3%; 9/108) of nurses with difficulties in relation to the region. The practices associated with the difficulty were: the non-participation of nurses in the management of supplies (p=0.03), occasional consultations (p=0.03) and never prescribing medication (p=0.02); insufficient resolution in the prenatal consultation (p=0.000), monitoring of child growth and development (p=0.001); family planning (p=0.000); leprosy (p=0.005); tuberculosis (p=0.031); arterial hypertension (p<0.0001); diabetes (p<0.0001). Conclusion: Difficulties regarding the autonomy of legal normative responsibilities are associated with individual and collective practices that are exclusive to nurses and are regulated in public health programs. (AU)

Objetivo: analizar las prácticas individuales y colectivas que están asociadas a las dificultades de los enfermeros que actúan en la Atención Primaria de Salud de la región Norte. Métodos: observacional de prevalencia y analítico. Se incluyeron enfermeras de atención primaria. La colecta se realizó entre noviembre de 2019 y agosto de 2021, en los siete estados del Norte, a través de un formulario electrónico, analizado por las pruebas binomial, chi-cuadrado y G en el programa Bioestat. Resultados: Entre los 626 enfermeros del estudio, 15,7% (98/626) afirmaron tener dificultad en el ejercicio de sus prácticas, en cuanto a la autonomía de sus responsabilidades normativas legales. Amapá tuvo menor proporción (8,3%; 9/108) de enfermeros con dificultades en relación a la región. Las prácticas asociadas a la dificultad fueron: la no participación de los enfermeros en la gestión de los insumos (p=0,03), consultas ocasionales (p=0,03) y nunca recetar medicamentos (p=0,02); resolución insuficiente en la consulta prenatal (p=0,000), seguimiento del crecimiento y desarrollo infantil (p=0,001); planificación familiar (p=0,000); lepra (p=0,005); tuberculosis (p=0,031); hipertensión arterial (p<0,0001); diabetes (p<0,0001). Conclusión: Las dificultades en cuanto a la autonomía de las responsabilidades normativas legales están asociadas a las prácticas individuales y colectivas, exclusivas de los enfermeros y reguladas em los programas de salud pública. (AU)

Resumen ejecutivo del documento de consenso para la formación y el desarrollo de la ecografía clínica en Medicina Interna: recomendaciones desde el Grupo de Trabajo de Ecografía Clínica de la Sociedad Española de Medicina Interna (GTECO-SEMI) / Executive summary of the consensus document for the training and development of clinical ultrasound in internal medicine: Recommendations from the Clinical Ultrasound Working Group of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (GTECO-SEMI)

Introducción Dada la creciente adopción de la ecografía clínica en medicina, es fundamental estandarizar su aplicación, su formación y su investigación. Objetivos y métodos El propósito de este documento es proporcionar recomendaciones de consenso para responder cuestiones sobre la práctica y el funcionamiento de las unidades de ecografía clínica. Participaron 19 expertos y responsables de unidades avanzadas de ecografía clínica. Se utilizó un método de consenso Delphi modificado. Resultados Se consideraron un total de 137 declaraciones de consenso, basadas en la evidencia y en la opinión experta. Las declaraciones fueron distribuidas en 10 áreas. Un total de 99 recomendaciones alcanzaron consenso. Conclusiones Este consenso define los aspectos más importantes de la ecografía clínica en el ámbito de la Medicina Interna, con el objetivo de homogeneizar y promover este avance asistencial en sus diferentes vertientes. El documento ha sido elaborado por el Grupo de Trabajo de Ecografía Clínica y avalado por la Sociedad Española de Medicina Interna. (AU)

Introduction Given the increasing adoption of clinical ultrasound in medicine, it is essential to standardize its application, training, and research. Objectives and methods The purpose of this document is to provide consensus recommendations to address questions about the practice and operation of clinical ultrasound units. Nineteen experts and leaders from advanced clinical ultrasound units participated. A modified Delphi consensus method was used. Results A total of 137 consensus statements, based on evidence and expert opinion, were considered. The statements were distributed across 10 areas, and 99 recommendations achieved consensus. Conclusions This consensus defines the most important aspects of clinical ultrasound in the field of internal medicine, with the aim of standardizing and promoting this healthcare advancement in its various aspects. The document has been prepared by the Clinical Ultrasound Working Group and endorsed by the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine. (AU)

Challenges and advances in serological and molecular tests to aid leprosy diagnosis.

Leprosy is a neglected chronic infectious disease caused by obligate intracellular bacilli, Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis. Despite multidrug therapy (MDT) success, leprosy accounts for more than 200,000 new cases yearly. Leprosy diagnosis remains based on the dermato-neurologic examination, but histopathology of skin biopsy and bacilloscopy of intradermal scraping are subsidiary diagnostic tests that require expertise and laboratory infrastructure. This minireview summarizes the state of the art of serologic tests to aid leprosy diagnosis, highlighting enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and point-of-care tests (POCT) biotechnologies. Also, the impact of the postgenomic era on the description of new recombinantly expressed M. leprae-specific protein antigens, such as leprosy Infectious Disease Research Institute (IDRI) diagnostic (LID)-1 is summarized. Highly specific and sensitive molecular techniques to detect M. leprae DNA as the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) are briefly reviewed. Serology studies using phenolic glycolipid-I (PGL-I) semi-synthetic antigens, LID-1 fusion antigen, and the single fusion complex natural disaccharide-octyl (NDO)-LID show high sensitivity in multibacillary (MB) patients. However, serology is not applicable to paucibacillary patients, as they have weak humoral response and robust cell-mediated response, requiring tests for cellular biomarkers. Unlike ELISA-based tests, leprosy-specific POCT based on semi-synthetic PGL-I antigens and NDO-LID 1 antigen is easy to perform, cheaper, equipment-free, and can contribute to early diagnosis avoiding permanent incapacities and helping to interrupt M. leprae transmission. Besides its use to help diagnosis of household contacts or at-risk populations in endemic areas, potential applications of leprosy serology include monitoring MDT efficacy, identification of recent infection, especially in young children, as surrogate markers of disease progression to orient adult chemoprophylaxis and as a predictor of type 2 leprosy reactions. Advances in molecular biology techniques have reduced the complexity and execution time of qPCR confirming its utility to help diagnosis while leprosy-specific LAMP holds promise as an adjunct test to detect M. leprae DNA.

Self-Care Ability and Life Quality of Cured Leprosy Patients: The Mediating Effects of Social Support.

OBJECTIVES: The study explores the relationship between social support, self-care ability, and life quality of cured leprosy patients (CLPs), aiming to develop strategies to enhance their overall well-being. METHODS: From July to December 2021, we investigated the social support, self-care ability, and life quality of CLPs through three scales and analyzed the correlation between them. In addition, structural estimation modeling (SEM) was employed to analyze their correlation. RESULTS: A total of 9245 CLPs were recruited, with a male-to-female ratio of 2.19:1, and 94.04% of cured patients was 60 years or above, with predominantly home-cured patients. The scores of WHOQOL-BREF, SSRS, and ESCA were (51.39 ± 9.89), (31.87 ± 8.76), and (100.95 ± 19.75), respectively. The results indicate a poorer quality of life and social support for CLPs compared to the general population in China. Furthermore, the home group had higher scores on these scales than the leprosarium group. The correlation analysis showed significant interactions between life quality, social support, self-care ability, and various domains (p < 0.05). SEM results revealed that the direct effect of self-care ability on life quality was 0.13, and the indirect effect on quality of life through social support was 0.08. The mediating effect of social support accounted for 22.86% of the total effect in the home group. In the leprosarium group, the effect of self-care ability on quality of life was 0.14. CONCLUSIONS: Most CLPs in Jiangsu Province are concentrated in the central region, with a high disease burden. We found that CLPs have a poorer life quality than the general population, with the leprosarium group being worse than the home group. The government and society should pay more attention to and support these cured patients.

Hanseníase e COVID-19: repercussões na vida de pessoas afetadas e promoção de intervenções / Leprosy and COVID-19: repercussions on the lives of affected people and promotion of interventions / Lepra y COVID-19: repercusiones en la vida de las personas afectadas y promoción de intervenciones

Objetivo: analisar as repercussões da COVID-19 na vida das pessoas afetadas pela hanseníase e promover intervenções de enfrentamento aos problemas vivenciados pelos usuários. Método: estudo qualitativo do tipo pesquisa participante, realizado de dezembro de 2021 a junho de 2022 na região metropolitana de Recife em oito serviços de saúde de referência para hanseníase. Realizaram-se entrevistas semiestruturadas, telemonitoramento e intervenções nos grupos de autocuidado com usuários acometidos pela hanseníase, e oficinas com profissionais e gestores. Resultados: observaram-se repercussões financeiras, no acesso aos serviços de saúde e na socialização dos usuários. As intervenções realizadas com usuários promoveram melhores práticas de conhecimento sobre a patologia, empoderamento e autocuidado. As oficinas com gestores e profissionais propiciaram a retomada e implementação de novos grupos de autocuidado, atividades comprometida na pandemia. Conclusão: a COVID-19 trouxe repercussões na situação financeira, socialização e acesso a serviços de saúde, com piora da situação de vulnerabilidade social e isolamento, já presentes no contexto da hanseníase.

Objective: to analyze the repercussions of COVID-19 on the lives of people affected by leprosy and to promote interventions to cope with the problems experienced by users. Method: qualitative study of the participant research type, carried out from December 2021 to June 2022 in the metropolitan region of Recife in eight reference health services for leprosy. Semi-structured interviews, telemonitoring and interventions were carried out in self-care groups with users affected by leprosy, and workshops with professionals and managers. Results: there were financial repercussions, on access to health services and on the socialization of users. Interventions carried out with users promoted better knowledge practices about the pathology, empowerment and self-care. The workshops with managers and professionals facilitated the resumption and implementation of new self-care groups, activities compromised in the pandemic period. Conclusion: COVID-19 had repercussions on the financial situation, socialization and access to health services, with a worsening of the situation of social vulnerability and isolation, already present in the context of leprosy.

Objetivo: analizar las repercusiones del COVID-19 en la vida de las personas afectadas por la lepra y promover intervenciones para el enfrentamiento de los problemas vividos por los usuarios. Método: estudio cualitativo de tipo investigación participante, realizado de diciembre de 2021 a junio de 2022 en la región metropolitana de Recife en ocho servicios sanitarios de referencia para la lepra. Se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas, telemonitoreo e intervenciones en grupos de autocuidado junto a usuarios afectados por lepra y talleres con profesionales y gestores. Resultados: hubo repercusiones financieras en el acceso a los servicios de salud y en la socialización de los usuarios. Las intervenciones realizadas con los usuarios promovieron mejores prácticas de conocimiento sobre la patología, empoderamiento y autocuidado. Los talleres con directivos y profesionales facilitaron la reanudación e implementación de nuevos grupos de autocuidado, actividades comprometidas en la pandemia. Conclusión: el COVID-19 tuvo repercusiones en la situación económica, socialización y acceso a los servicios de salud, con empeoramiento de la situación de vulnerabilidad social y aislamiento, ya presente en el contexto de la lepra.

Lepromatous Leprosy Manifesting As Chronic Macrocheilia: Report of a Rare Case.

Leprosy is a chronic debilitating disorder caused by the acid-fast bacilli Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae) and Mycobacterium lepromatosis. These bacilli exhibit a distinctive predilection for the skin and peripheral nerves, although they can potentially impact any system in the body. Lately, there has been a notable reduction in mucosal symptoms, largely attributed to the timely diagnosis and treatment of leprosy. Nonetheless, oral lesions continue to hold significant epidemiological importance due to their crucial role in disease transmission. Oral manifestations, although rare, are frequently encountered in individuals afflicted with multi-bacillary leprosy. Chronic macrocheilia is an exceedingly rare manifestation of the disease, with only a few documented case reports and case studies. This article aims to document an exceptionally uncommon case of lepromatous leprosy with chronic macrocheilia as the sole presenting feature.

Artificial intelligence and digital health in improving primary health care service delivery in LMICs: A systematic review.

AIM: Technology including artificial intelligence (AI) may play a key role to strengthen primary health care services in resource-poor settings. This systematic review aims to explore the evidence on the use of AI and digital health in improving primary health care service delivery. METHODS: Three electronic databases were searched using a comprehensive search strategy without providing any restriction in June 2023. Retrieved articles were screened independently using the "Rayyan" software. Data extraction and quality assessment were conducted independently by two review authors. A narrative synthesis of the included interventions was conducted. RESULTS: A total of 4596 articles were screened, and finally, 48 articles were included from 21 different countries published between 2013 and 2021. The main focus of the included studies was noncommunicable diseases (n = 15), maternal and child health care (n = 11), primary care (n = 8), infectious diseases including tuberculosis, leprosy, and HIV (n = 7), and mental health (n = 6). Included studies considered interventions using AI, and digital health of which mobile-phone-based interventions were prominent. m-health interventions were well adopted and easy to use and improved the record-keeping, service deliver, and patient satisfaction. CONCLUSION: AI and the application of digital technologies improve primary health care service delivery in resource-poor settings in various ways. However, in most of the cases, the application of AI and digital health is implemented through m-health. There is a great scope to conduct further research exploring the interventions on a large scale.

Leprosy and tuberculosis control scenario of the national program for the improvement of access and quality of primary care in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: In Brazil, despite advances in public health policies aimed at eliminating and controlling infectious and parasitic diseases, the incidence of neglected diseases is still high. The epidemiological scenario in Brazil of diseases such as tuberculosis and leprosy evidences a public policy agenda that has not been resolute in terms of control, nor in terms of elimination. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the actions of diagnosis and treatment of leprosy and tuberculosis in the context of primary health care. METHODS: In this ecological study, data from the third cycle of the Program for the Improvement of Access and Quality of Primary Care were extracted from electronic address of the Primary Health Care Secretariat of Brazil in the area of Actions, Programs and Strategies. A total of 37,350 primary health care teams were that answered the questionnaire were eligible, with variables extracted from leprosy and tuberculosis control actions. The municipalities were grouped according to the characteristic of the Brazilian municipality. The partition chi-square and the Residuals Test were used to assess whether there was a difference in the proportion of tuberculosis and leprosy actions between types of municipalities. Statistics were carried out using Minitab 20 and Bioestat 5.3. RESULTS: Regarding the leprosy treatment location, there is a higher proportion of people referred to be treated at the reference in adjacent rural (p = 0.0097) and urban (p < 0.0001) municipalities; monitoring of people with leprosy referred to the service network (p. = 0.0057) in remote rural areas. Lower proportion of teams requesting bacilloscopy in remote rural areas (p = 0.0019). Rural areas have a higher proportion of teams that diagnose new cases (p = 0.0004). Regarding the actions of diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis. There is a higher proportion of teams that carry out consultations at the unit itself in rural areas when compared to adjacent intermediaries (p = 0.0099) and urban (p < 0.0001); who requested sputum smear microscopy in adjacent intermediaries (p = 0.0021); X-ray in adjacent intermediaries (p < 0.0001) and urban (p < 0.0001); collection of the first sputum sample in urban (p < 0.0001) and adjacent rural areas (p < 0.0001); directly observed treatment (p < 0.0001) in adjacent rural municipalities. CONCLUSION: There are inequalities in the diagnosis and treatment of leprosy and tuberculosis among the types of municipalities.

Factors affecting treatment adherence among leprosy patients: Perceptions of healthcare providers.

Background: Treatment adherence is a vital aspect in the management of chronic diseases like leprosy; however, most studies on treatment adherence focus on patients. This study aims to examine the perceptions of healthcare providers on factors that can promote or prevent patients from adhering to treatment. Methods: We conducted three focus group discussions (FGDs) with healthcare providers who have at least one year experience in managing leprosy in three large leprosy case-holding hospitals in Metro Manila, Philippines. We audio-recorded, transcribed, translated the FGD proceedings, and analyzed the transcripts thematically to identify patient-intrinsic and patient-extrinsic enablers and barriers to treatment adherence of leprosy patients. Results: Patient-intrinsic motivators to complete treatment include innate desire to be cured, fear of infecting family and friends, fear of disability, good knowledge about the disease, need for medical clearance to be considered fit to work, and experiencing leprosy reactions. Patient-extrinsic motivators to complete treatment include free treatment, immediate and sufficient counselling, flexibility in treatment, follow-up and motivation of healthcare workers, and presence of Hansen's Club and support groups. Patient-intrinsic barriers to good treatment adherence include distance between residence and hospital, financial and opportunity costs, adverse drug reactions, misconceptions about being cured, disabilities and presence of leprosy reactions, stubbornness and/or laziness, and undergoing clinical depression. Patient-extrinsic barriers to good treatment adherence include poor availability of MDT, transfer to other leprosy treatment facilities without informing current facility, and stigma. Conclusion: Healthcare providers perceive that patient-intrinsic and patient-extrinsic factors influence the treatment adherence of leprosy patients through different mechanisms. We highlight the role of healthcare provider attitudes, stigma, and support groups in promoting treatment adherence.

Patterns of Occupational Exposure to Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Among Health Care Personnel in a Tertiary Care Institute in South India - A Retrospective Case Series.

Background: Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for occupational human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) exposure involves the comprehensive measures used to prevent transmission of blood-borne pathogens such as HIV, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus through various strategies such as first aid, counseling, risk assessment, relevant laboratory investigations with informed consent, the provision of short-term anti-retroviral drugs, and follow-up testing. Aim and Objectives: We sought to investigate the patterns and causes of occupational exposure in health care workers (HCWs) in our institute and the usage of PEP in our center, a tertiary care hospital in south India. Materials and Methods: The study involved a retrospective analysis of data extracted from the records of PEP usage from the anti-retroviral treatment (ART) center attached to the dermatology, venereology and leprosy out-patient department of a tertiary care center in south India. The data were extracted into a pre-designed proforma and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 352 health care professionals reported to the ART center for PEP from 2010 to 2020. One hundred and thirty-four patients took only the first dose as the source patient later tested to be HIV-negative. Among the 218 remaining patients, 84 were male and 134 were female patients. Only 56 health care workers started the regimen within 2 hours. One hundred and thirty-four patients completed the full course of PEP. Most HCWs (n = 68, 31%) sustained the exposure while doing a procedure on the patient followed by re-capping a needle (n = 64, 29%). Gastritis and drowsiness were the most common adverse effects. Limitations and Conclusions: The study was limited by the retrospective nature of data collection and the lack of detailed interviews with HCWs. Knowledge about PEP, needle safety training, and training of early first aid measures should be increased among health care workers.

Transmission of beneficial yeasts accompanies offspring production in Drosophila-An initial evolutionary stage of insect maternal care through manipulation of microbial load?

Parent-to-offspring transmission of beneficial microorganisms is intimately interwoven with the evolution of social behaviors. Ancestral stages of complex sociality-microbe vectoring interrelationships may be characterized by high costs of intensive parental care and hence only a weak link between the transmission of microbial symbionts and offspring production. We investigate the relationship between yeast symbiont transmission and egg-laying, as well as some general factors thought to drive the "farming" of microscopic fungi by the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, an insect with no obvious parental care but which is highly dependent on dietary microbes during offspring development. The process of transmitting microbes involves flies ingesting microbes from their previous environment, storing and vectoring them, and finally depositing them to a new environment. This study revealed that fecal materials of adult flies play a significant role in this process, as they contain viable yeast cells that support larval development. During single patch visits, egg-laying female flies transmitted more yeast cells than non-egg-laying females, suggesting that dietary symbiont transmission is not random, but linked to offspring production. The crop, an extension of the foregut, was identified as an organ capable of storing viable yeast cells during travel between egg-laying sites. However, the amount of yeast in the crop reduced rapidly during periods of starvation. Although females starved for 24 h deposited a smaller amount of yeast than those starved for 6 h, the yeast inoculum produced still promoted the development of larval offspring. The results of these experiments suggest that female Drosophila fruit flies have the ability to store and regulate the transfer of microorganisms beneficial to their offspring via the shedding of fecal material. We argue that our observation may represent an initial evolutionary stage of maternal care through the manipulation of microbial load, from which more specialized feedbacks of sociality and microbe management may evolve.

Características sociodemográficas e epidemiológicas relacionadas ao grau de incapacidade física em hanseníase no estado da Paraíba, Brasil / Sociodemographic and epidemiological characteristics related to the degree of physical disability in leprosy in the state of Paraíba, Brazil

Objetivou-se analisar a associação entre características sociodemográficas e clínicas com o desenvolvimento dos graus de incapacidades físicas 1 ou 2 em pessoas com diagnóstico de hanseníase na Paraíba, Brasil. Estudo ecológico, de base populacional, que teve como unidades de análises os 223 municípios do estado. Os dados foram coletados no Núcleo de Doenças Crônicas e Negligenciadas/Hanseníase, pertencente à Gerência Executiva de Vigilância em Saúde da Secretaria de Saúde do estado da Paraíba em junho de 2021, após extração do Sistema de Informação Nacional de Agravos de Notificação. O banco de dados reuniu 2.468 casos novos de hanseníase registrados no período de 2016 a 2020. A chance de uma pessoa diagnosticada com hanseníase desenvolver a incapacidade física 1 ou 2 é maior nas pessoas de sexo masculino, com 15 anos ou mais, estudo formal menor ou igual a nove anos, classificação operacional multibacilar, com mais de cinco lesões e mais de um nervo afetado, além de baciloscopia positiva. Políticas de educação em saúde são fortemente recomendadas no intuito de melhorar o conhecimento dos profissionais e da comunidade. Abordagens sobre a hanseníase, diagnóstico precoce, busca ativa, vigilância e acompanhamento dos casos e de seus contatos, além das incapacidades físicas, em especial para pessoas de maior vulnerabilidade a desenvolvê-las, são fundamentais.(AU)

The objective was to analyze the association between sociodemographic and clinical characteristics with the development of physical physical disabilities of grades 1 and 2 in people diagnosed with leprosy in Paraíba, Brazil. It's an ecological study, population-based, which had the 223 municipalities at the Center of Chronic and Neglected Diseases/Leprosy belonging to the Health Surveillance Executive Management of Health Department of Paraíba State in June 2021, after extraction from the Notifiable Diseases Information System. The database gathered 2,468 new cases of leprosy registered in the period from 2016 to 2020. The probability of a person diagnosed with leprosy developing physical disability 1 or 2 is greater in males, aged 15 or over, formal education less than or equal to nine years, operational classification multibacillary, with more than five lesions and more than one affected nerve, in addition to positive bacilloscopy. Health education policies are strongly recommended in order to improve the knowledge of professionals and the community. Approaches about leprosy, early diagnosis, active search, surveillance and follow-up of cases and their contacts, in addition to physical disabilities, especially for people who are more vulnerable to develop them, are fundamental.(AU)

Enfrentamento da hanseníase em tempos de COVID-19: uma experiência exitosa de implantação de um sistema de rastreamento em área endêmica do Nordeste / Coping with leprosy in times of COVID-19: a successful experience of implementing a tracking system in an endemic area in the Northeast / Enfrentando la lepra en tiempos de COVID-19: una experiencia exitosa de implementación de un sistema de rastreo en un área endémica del Nordeste

Introdução: A COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) trouxe inúmeros desafios e sobrecarga ao Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), gerando dificuldades no enfrentamento das outras enfermidades endêmicas e negligenciadas no território brasileiro, entre elas a hanseníase. Objetivo: Relatar a experiência de enfrentamento da prevalência oculta de hanseníase por uma equipe de atenção primária à saúde do interior do estado de Sergipe durante a pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos: O projeto foi desenvolvido entre os meses de setembro de 2020 e janeiro de 2021 e caracterizou-se pela oferta de exame dermatológico aos indivíduos que buscaram atendimento na unidade de saúde do bairro Cidade Nova, em Estância, Sergipe. Confirmado o diagnóstico de hanseníase, foi introduzido o tratamento com esquema de poliquimioterapia da Organização Mundial da Saúde (PQT-OMS) e os contatos foram examinados, respeitando-se as medidas sanitárias de prevenção à contaminação pela COVID-19. Resultados: No período analisado, foram avaliados 235 indivíduos, sendo feitos seis diagnósticos clínicos de hanseníase (2,5%), entre os quais um em menor de 15 anos de idade. No município, durante todo o ano de 2020, registrou-se o total de nove casos novos de hanseníase. Sem o projeto, o coeficiente de detecção de casos novos de hanseníase no município seria de 4,3/100 mil habitantes e, com o projeto, esse coeficiente foi três vezes superior (12,9/100 mil habitantes). Conclusão: A oferta de exame dermatoneurológico durante consultas médicas de rotina em áreas vulneráveis permitiu evidenciar a prevalência oculta de hanseníase no bairro Cidade Nova, Estância. Além disso, ações dessa natureza permitem o diagnóstico precoce, evitando-se a evolução para incapacidades físicas.

Introduction: COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) has brought numerous challenges and burdens on the Unified Health System (SUS, acronym in Portuguese), creating difficulties for the facing of other endemic diseases in the Brazilian territory, such as leprosy. Objective: To report an experience of coping with the hidden prevalence of leprosy by a primary health care team in the countryside of the state of Sergipe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The project was developed from September 2020 to January 2021 and was characterized for offering a dermatological examination to individuals seeking care at the health unit in the Cidade Nova neighborhood, Estância, Sergipe. For confirmed cases, treatment was instituted and household contacts were examined, respecting the measures to prevent contamination by COVID-19. Results: In the analyzed period, 235 individuals were evaluated, with six diagnoses of leprosy (2.5%), one under the age of 15. In 2020, the municipality registered nine total cases. Without the project, the detection rate of new leprosy cases in the municipality would have been 4.3/100,000 inhabitants and, with the project, this coefficient was three times higher (12.9/100,000 inhabitants). Conclusion: The offer of dermato-neurological exams during routine medical appointments made it possible to show the hidden prevalence of leprosy in the neighborhood of Cidade Nova, Estância. In addition, actions of this nature allow early diagnosis, preventing the occurrence of physical disabilities.

Introducción: La COVID-19 (enfermedad por coronavirus 2019) trajo numerosos desafíos y cargas al Sistema Único de Salud (SUS), creando dificultades para enfrentar otras enfermedades endémicas en el territorio brasileño, como la lepra. Objetivo: Informar una experiencia de afrontamiento de la prevalencia oculta de lepra por parte de un equipo de atención primaria en el interior del estado de Sergipe durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos: El proyecto se desarrolló desde septiembre de 2020 hasta enero de 2021 y se caracterizó por ofrecer un examen dermatológico a las personas que buscaban atención en la unidad de salud del barrio Cidade Nova, en Estância, Sergipe. En caso de confirmarse los casos, se instituyó el tratamiento y se examinaron los contactos domiciliarios, respetando las medidas para prevenir la contaminación por COVID-19. Resultados: En el período analizado se evaluaron 235 individuos, con 06 diagnósticos de lepra (2,5%), uno menor de 15 años. En 2020, el municipio registró nueve casos en total. Sin el proyecto, la tasa de detección de nuevos casos de lepra en el municipio sería de 4,3/100 mil habitantes y, con el proyecto, este coeficiente era tres veces mayor (12,9/100 mil habitantes). Conclusión: La oferta de exámenes dermatoneurológicos durante las consultas médicas de rutina permitió mostrar la prevalencia oculta de la lepra en el barrio Cidade Nova, Estância. Además, acciones de esta naturaleza permiten un diagnóstico precoz, evitando la aparición de discapacidades físicas.

Early use of faecal microbiota transplantation for C. difficile infection.

Overview of: Baunwall SMD, Andreasen SE, Hansen MM, et al Faecal microbiota transplantation for first or second Clostridioides difficile infection (EarlyFMT): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022;7:1083-91.

Microfluidic electrochemical device for real-time culturing and interference-free detection of Escherichia coli.

Bacterial contamination and infection is a major health concern today leading to the significance of its detection. Being lab-based bacterial culturing processes, the present approaches are time consuming and require trained skillset. An economical, and miniaturized lab-on-chip device, capable of simultaneous detection of bacterial growth, could be a benchmarking tool for monitoring the bacterial contamination. Herein, the microfluidic-based electrochemical device for a fast, susceptible, detection of Escherichia coli was developed. The device could aid incubator free bacteria culturing in the ambient atmosphere and simultaneously monitor and detect the growth electrochemically. A three-electrode system, integrated with a reservoir and a portable thermostat temperature controller was fabricated and assembled. To achieve this, three-electrodes were embedded on the microfluidic device by screen-printing carbon paste, and the working electrode was enhanced by graphitized mesoporous carbon. Cyclic voltammetry response was noted as the function of concentration and growth of Escherichia Coli in the reservoir. The device gave a linear bacterial concentration range of 0.336 × 1012 to 40 × 1012 CFU mL-1, detection limit of 0.35 CFU mL-1 and the quantification limit of 1.05 CFU mL-1 which was less than the maximum allowable limit. The developed platform was further used to detect and continuously monitor the bacterial growth in the real sample (mango juice) for a period of 36 h. Finally, the interference from other common bacteria on the electrode selectivity was also investigated. Such approach in being further modified for specific sensing of bacteria in patients suffering from different diseases such as corneal ulcers, Diarrhea, tuberculosis, leprosy, and syphilis.

Primary health care essential and derivative attributes in children and adolescents with leprosy / Atributos esenciales y derivados de la atención primaria de la salud en niños y adolescentes con lepra / Atributos essenciais e derivados da atenção primária à saúde em crianças e adolescentes com hanseníase

ABSTRACT Objective: to assess the presence and extension of Primary Health Care essential and derivative attributes in the assistance provided to children and adolescents with leprosy. Method: a cross-sectional study of an evaluative nature, with a quantitative approach. The information was obtained through interviews with nurses and physicians (n=37) working at Primary Health Care units in the care of children and adolescents with leprosy in the municipality of Parauapebas, Pará, Brazil, between October 2021 and February 2022. Mean, minimum, maximum and standard deviation values were used in the descriptive analyses, as well as the Levene test, Student's t-test. Pearson's Correlation Coefficient and a 5% confidence level. Results: 45.9% of the study participants had attended up to two training programs in leprosy care and 32.4% were trained in minors with the disease. When analyzing the mean values of each attribute, low orientation of the service provided and lower values of the general mean were observed in the analysis of attributes related to Access and Continued Care (score 3.4, SD±1.3; and score 3.8, SD±1.7 respectively). There was a regular positive correlation in most of the evaluated attributes and a significant strong positive correlation between care coordination and Professional/Community Orientation: r=0.601 and r=0.651, respectively. Conclusion: there is evidence of weaknesses in health care for children and adolescents with leprosy related to low service orientation; however, qualification in Care coordination exerts a positive influence on Professional orientation and Community orientation with an impact on service surveillance.

RESUMEN Objetivo: evaluar la presencia y la extensión de los atributos esenciales y derivados de la Atención Primaria de la Salud en la asistencia de niños y adolescentes con lepra. Método: estudio transversal, de naturaleza evaluativa y enfoque cuantitativo. Toda la información se obtuvo por medio de entrevistas realizadas entre octubre de 2021 y febrero de 2022 con enfermeros e médicos (n=37) que trabajan en unidades de Atención Primaria de la Salud en la asistencia de niños y adolescentes con lepra del municipio de Parauapebas, Pará, Brasil. En los análisis descriptivos se utilizaron los valores de media, mínimo, máximo y desvío estándar, además de las pruebas de Levene y t de Student, el Coeficiente de Correlación de Pearson y nivel de confianza del 5%. Resultados: el 45,9% de los participantes del estudio había asistido a un máximo de dos programas de capacitación en la atención de enfermos de lepra y el 32,4% se había capacitado en menores de edad que sufren el problema. Al analizar las medias de los valores de cada atributo, se observó escasa orientación del servicio prestado y valores inferiores a la media general en el análisis de los atributos relacionados con Acceso y Asistencia continuada (puntuación de 3,4; DE±1,3; y 3,8 DE±1,7 respectivamente). Se observó una correlación positiva regular en la mayoría de los atributos evaluados y una fuerte correlación y significativa entre Coordinación de la asistencia y Orientación profesional/comunitaria: r=0,601 y r=0,651, respectivamente. Conclusión: se detecta evidencia de debilidades en la atención de la salud en niños y adolescentes con lepra relacionadas a la escasa orientación del servicio; sin embargo, la calificación en la Coordinación de la asistencia ejerce una influencia positiva positivamente sobre la Orientación profesional y la Orientación comunitaria, con un efecto en la vigilancia de los servicios.

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar a presença e extensão dos atributos essenciais e derivados da Atenção Primária à Saúde no atendimento à criança e ao adolescente com hanseníase. Método: estudo transversal, de natureza avaliativa, com abordagem quantitativa. As informações foram obtidas por meio de entrevistas com enfermeiros e médicos (n=37) atuantes em unidades da atenção primária à saúde no atendimento à criança e ao adolescente com hanseníase no município de Parauapebas, Pará, Brasil, entre os meses de outubro de 2021 a fevereiro de 2022. Utilizou-se nas análises descritivas os valores de média, mínimo, máximo e desvio padrão, e os testes de Levene, Teste t- Student e Coeficiente de Correlação de Pearson e nível de confiança de 5%. Resultados: dos participantes do estudo, 45,9% possuíam até dois treinamentos em cuidados com hanseníase e 32,4% com capacitação em menores com o agravo. Ao analisar as médias dos valores de cada atributo, observou-se baixa orientação do serviço prestado e valores inferiores da média geral na análise dos atributos relativos ao Acesso e Atendimento continuado (score 3,4; DP±1,3 e 3,8 DP±1,7 respectivamente). Observou-se correlação positiva regular na maioria dos atributos avaliados e correlação positiva forte significativa entre coordenação do cuidado com Orientação Profissional/Comunitária, respectivamente (r= 0,601) e (r= 0,651). Conclusão: há evidências de fragilidades nos cuidados de saúde em crianças e adolescentes com hanseníase relacionados à baixa orientação do serviço, contudo, a qualificação na Coordenação do Cuidado influencia positivamente na Orientação Profissional e na Orientação Comunitária com impacto na vigilância dos serviços.

Culture circle with community health workers about (lack of) knowledge and stigma of leprosy / Círculo de cultura con agentes comunitarios de salud sobre (des)conocimiento y estigma de lepra / Círculo de cultura com agentes comunitários de saúde sobre (des)conhecimentos e estigma da hanseníase

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the construction aboutthe (lack of) knowledge and stigma of leprosy by Community Health Workers participating in the Culture Circle. Method: Qualitative, action-research type study supported by the Paulo Freire Culture Circle framework, carried out with 21 Community Health Workers. Data collected in November 2021, in the municipality of São Luís, Maranhão. The following categories were evidenced: knowledge about leprosy, signs and symptoms, stigma. Results: The participants had knowledge about the disease, but they verbalized people's disinformation about leprosy, disbelief in relation to the cure, and situations of prejudice and stigma that are still present today. Final considerations: The culture circle enabled the intertwining of scientific and empirical knowledge in the construction of a critical and reflective knowledge committed to welcoming and comprehensive care for people and families affected by leprosy.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Describir la construcción sobre (des)conocimiento y estigma de la lepra por parte de los Agentes Comunitarios de Salud participantes del Círculo de Cultura. Método: Estudio cualitativo, de tipo investigación-acción, apoyado en el marco del Círculo de Cultura Paulo Freire, realizado con 21 Agentes Comunitarios de Salud. Datos recolectados en noviembre de 2021, en el municipio de São Luís, Maranhão. Se evidenciaron las categorías conocimientos sobre la lepra; signos y síntomas; estigma. Resultados: Los participantes tenían conocimiento sobre la enfermedad, pero verbalizaban la desinformación de las personas sobre la lepra, la incredulidad con relación a la cura y situaciones de prejuicio y estigma que aún hoy están presentes. Consideraciones finales: El círculo de cultura posibilitó entrelazar saberes científicos y empíricos en la construcción de un saber crítico y reflexivo comprometido con la acogida y atención integral de las personas y familias afectadas por la lepra.

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever a construção sobre o (des)conhecimento e estigma da hanseníase pelos Agentes Comunitários de Saúde participantes do Círculo de Cultura. Método: Estudo qualitativo de tipo pesquisa-ação apoiado pelo referencial do Círculo de Cultura de Paulo Freire, realizado com 21 Agentes Comunitários de Saúde. Dados coletados em novembro de 2021, no município de São Luís, Maranhão. Foram evidenciadas as categorias conhecimento sobre a hanseníase; sinais e sintomas; estigma. Resultados: Os participantes possuíam conhecimento sobre a doença, mas verbalizaram a existência de desinformação das pessoas sobre a hanseníase, descrenças em relação à cura, além de situações de preconceito e estigma ainda presentes atualmente. Considerações finais: O círculo de cultura possibilitou o entrelace dos saberes científicos e empíricos na construção de um conhecimento crítico e reflexivo comprometido com o acolhimento e atenção integral às pessoas e famílias afetadas pela hanseníase.

Fatores atrelados ao diagnóstico tardio em pessoas com Hanseníase na atenção primária à saúde (aps): uma revisão integrativa / Factors associated with delayed diagnosis in people with leprosy in primary health care: an integrative review / Factores asociados al retraso diagnóstico en personas con lepra en atención primaria: una revisión integradora

Objetivo: identificar os fatores envolvidos no diagnóstico tardio em pessoas com hanseníase na APS, sob a ótica da literatura vigente. Metodologia: trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura, constituído por seis etapas, que seguiu o acrônimo PICo para formulação da questão de pesquisa. As buscas foram realizadas na National Library of Medicine (PubMed)/ Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval Sistem (Medline); Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS); Scientific Electronic Library Online (Scielo-Brasil); Scopus; e Web Science, e incorporou estudos publicados desde 2000 até março de 2022. Resultados: dos 80 artigos identificados na busca, 7 artigos foram selecionados, entre os quais, três foram publicados na PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases; dois estudos foram publicizados em 2018; a área de conhecimento mais publicada, englobou a de doenças tropicais negligenciadas. Considerações: os estudos incluídos nesta revisão, possibilitaram elucidar a partir de evidências científicas, dois grandes grupos de fatores que estão atrelados ao processo do atraso diagnóstico de hanseníase, sendo estes: os fatores operacionais relacionados ao serviço de saúde e os fatores relacionados a população, sendo necessário fortalecer as ações de educação permanente em saúde para os profissionais sobre a hanseníase, como é preciso desenvolver ações de educações em saúde para a comunidade, para que possam atuar em cooperação na ESF, na identificação dos sinas e sintomas de forma precoce.

Objective: to identify the factors involved in the late diagnosis of people with leprosy in PHC, from the perspective of the current literature. Methodology: this is an integrative review of the literature, consisting of six steps, which followed the acronym PICo to formulate the research question. The searches were carried out at the National Library of Medicine (PubMed)/Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System (Medline); Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS); Online Scientific Electronic Library (Scielo-Brasil); Scopus; and Web Science, and incorporated studies published from 2000 to March 2022. Results: of the 80 articles identified in the search, 7 articles were selected, among which, three were published in PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases; studies were published in 2018; The most published area of knowledge covers neglected tropical diseases. Considerations: the studies included in this review made it possible to elucidate, based on scientific evidence, the large groups of factors that are linked to the process of late diagnosis of leprosy, namely: operating factors related to the health service and factors related to the population, it is necessary to strengthen actions of education in permanent health for professionals about leprosy, just as it is necessary to develop actions of education in health for the community, so that they can act in cooperation in the ESF, in the early identification of signs and symptoms.

Objetivo: identificar los factores implicados en el diagnóstico tardío de personas con lepra en APS, desde la perspectiva de la literatura actual. Metodología: se trata de una revisión integrativa de la literatura, compuesta por seis etapas, que siguieron el acrónimo PICo para formular la pregunta de investigación. Las búsquedas fueron realizadas en National Library of Medicine (PubMed)/Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System (Medline); Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS); Online Scientific Electronic Library (Scielo-Brasil); Scopus; y Web Science, e incorporaron estudios publicados desde 2000 hasta marzo de 2022. Resultados: de los 80 artículos identificados en la búsqueda, se seleccionaron 7 artículos, entre los cuales, tres fueron publicados en PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases; los estudios fueron publicados en 2018; El área de conocimiento más publicada abarca las enfermedades tropicales desatendidas. Consideraciones: los estudios incluidos en esta revisión permitieron dilucidar, con base en la evidencia científica, los grandes grupos de factores que están vinculados al proceso de diagnóstico tardío de la lepra, a saber: factores operativos relacionados con el servicio de salud y factores relacionados con la población, es necesario fortalecer las acciones de educación en salud permanente para los profesionales sobre la lepra, así como es necesario desarrollar acciones de educación en salud para la comunidad, para que puedan actuar en cooperación en la ESF, en la identificación precoz de signos y síntomas.

Heartwood Extract of Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. Offers Defense against Oxyradicals and Improves Glucose Uptake in HepG2 Cells.

Diabetes mellitus leads to cellular damage and causes apoptosis by oxidative stress. Heartwood extract of Pterocarpus marsupium has been used in Ayurveda to treat various diseases such as leprosy, diabetes, asthma, and bronchitis. In this study, we worked out the mechanism of the antidiabetic potential of methanolic heartwood extract of Pterocarpus marsupium (MPME). First, metabolic profiling of MPME was done using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS), ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (UPLC-MS), and high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) to identify phenols, flavonoids, and terpenoids in MPME. Biological studies were carried out in vitro using the HepG2 cell line. Many antidiabetic compounds were identified including Quercetin. Methanolic extract of MPME (23.43 µg/mL-93.75 µg/mL) was found to be safe and effective in reducing oxyradicals in HepG2 cells. A concentration of 93.75 µg/mL improved glucose uptake efficiently. A significant decrease in oxidative stress, cell damage, and apoptosis was found in MPME-treated HepG2 cells. The study suggests that the heartwood of Pterocarpus marsupium offers good defense in HepG2 cells against oxidative stress and improves glucose uptake. The results show the significant antidiabetic potential of MPME using a HepG2 cell model. The effect seems to occur by reducing oxidative stress and sensitizing the cells towards glucose uptake, hence lowering systemic glucose levels, as well as rescuing ROS generation.

Perfil epidemiológico da hanseníase no município de Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, 2011 a 2019 / Epidemiological profile of leprosy in the municipality of Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, 2011 to 2019

Objetivo: Analisar o perfil epidemiológico da hanseníase no município de Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, entre os anos de 2011 a 2019. Método: Trata-se de um estudo ecológico, descritivo, que utilizou dados secundários disponíveis em acesso aberto na Sala de Apoio à Gestão Estratégica e no Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde referentes aos casos confirmados e notificados da hanseníase de residentes no município de Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, no período de 2011 a 2019. Resultados: No período do estudo foram notificados 57 casos de hanseníase, todos em pessoas acima de 20 anos, sendo a maioria em homens (50,9%), de raça/cor parda (49,1%) e com ensino fundamental incompleto (26,3%). A forma clínica predominante foi a dimorfa (38,4%) seguido pela tuberculoide (29,8%), classificação operacional multibacilar (56,2%), sendo que a maioria dos casos (93%) deram entrada no Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN) como caso novo. Quanto à avaliação do grau de incapacidade física no diagnóstico, 7% (n=4) dos casos foram notificados com grau 2. No que se refere ao tipo de saída, 87,9% dos casos tiveram alta por cura. Conclusão: Os dados epidemiológicos apontam que o diagnóstico da hanseníase em Divinópolis está sendo realizado tardiamente, o que contribui para manutenção de uma prevalência oculta (AU)

Objective: to analyze the epidemiological profile of leprosy in the municipality of Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, between the years 2011 to 2019. Method: this is an ecological, descriptive study, which used secondary data available in open access in the Strategic Management Support Room and the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System regarding the confirmed and notified cases of leprosy of residents in the municipality of Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, in the period from 2011 to 2019. Results: during the study period, 57 cases of leprosy were reported, all in people over 20 years old, mostly in men (50.9%), of brown race/color (49.1%) and with incomplete elementary school education (26.3%). The predominant clinical form was dimorphic (38.4%) followed by tuberculoid (29.8%), multibacillary operational classification (56.2%), and most cases (93%) were entered in the Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN) as new cases. As for the evaluation of the degree of physical disability at diagnosis, 7% (n=4) of cases were reported as grade 2. Regarding the type of output, 87.9% of cases were discharged for cure. Conclusion: the epidemiological data indicate that the diagnosis of leprosy in Divinópolis is being made late, which contributes to the maintenance of a hidden prevalence (AU)