Serological and molecular retrospective analysis of hepatitis E suspected cases from the Eastern Brazilian Amazon 1993-2014.

INTRODUCTION: We evaluated the anti-hepatitis E virus (HEV) antibody prevalence and HEV-RNA in archived serum samples of non-A-C hepatitis, or suspected cases of HEV infection from the Eastern Brazilian Amazon from 1993 to 2014. METHODS: Serum samples (n = 318) were tested using ELISA and immunoblotting, and screened for HEV-RNA by RT-qPCR. RESULTS: Anti-HEV IgM and IgG were detected in 3.4% (11/318) and 5.9% (19/318) of the samples, respectively. All samples were HEV-RNA negative. CONCLUSIONS: HEV was detected at a low prevalence. Broader serological and molecular evaluation of HEV infection in the Amazon region should be carried out.

Serological and molecular retrospective analysis of hepatitis E suspected cases from the Eastern Brazilian Amazon 1993-2014

Abstract INTRODUCTION We evaluated the anti-hepatitis E virus (HEV) antibody prevalence and HEV-RNA in archived serum samples of non-A-C hepatitis, or suspected cases of HEV infection from the Eastern Brazilian Amazon from 1993 to 2014. METHODS Serum samples (n = 318) were tested using ELISA and immunoblotting, and screened for HEV-RNA by RT-qPCR. RESULTS Anti-HEV IgM and IgG were detected in 3.4% (11/318) and 5.9% (19/318) of the samples, respectively. All samples were HEV-RNA negative. CONCLUSIONS HEV was detected at a low prevalence. Broader serological and molecular evaluation of HEV infection in the Amazon region should be carried out.

Albuminuria Reduction after High Dose of Vitamin D in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Some studies suggest an association between diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and vitamin D (VD), but there is no data about the effect of high dose of VD on DKD in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Our pilot study aims to evaluate albuminuria reduction in patients with T1DM supplemented with high dose of VD. METHODS: 22 patients received doses of 4,000 and 10,000 IU/day of cholecalciferol for 12 weeks according to patient's previous VD levels. They were submitted to continuous glucose monitoring system, 24 hours ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio before and after VD supplementation. RESULTS: There was a reduction of DKD prevalence at the end of the study (68 vs 32%; p = 0.05), with no changes on insulin doses, glycated hemoglobin, glycemic variability and blood pressure values. A correlation between percentage variation of VD levels (ΔVD) and albuminuria at the end of the study was presented (r = -0.5; p < 0.05). Among T1DM patients with DKD at the beginning of the study, 8/13 (62%) had their DKD stage improved, while the other five ones (38%) showed no changes (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our pilot study suggests an association between VD high dose supplementation, lower prevalence and improvement in stages of DKD in T1DM.

Hepatite tóxica complicada com lesão renal aguda por hiperbilirrubinemia decorrente do uso excessivo de esteroides anabolizantes / Toxic hepatitis complicated with acute kidney injury due to hyperbilirubinemia from abuse of anabolic steroids

O uso de esteroides anabólicos androgênicos é comum entre jovens praticantes de musculação, devido ao seu efeito trófico no tecido muscula. No entanto, seu abuso pode levar a danos teciduais dose-dependentes graves e irreversíveis. Foi relatado o caso de intoxicação hepática por droga anabolizante complicando com lesão renal aguda por hiperbilirrubinemia. Foram realizadas revisão de prontuário do paciente e pesquisa bibliográfica do assunto, após a assinatura de Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido. Um homem de 28 anos foi admitido neste hospital por icterícia, perda ponderal, febre alta, náuseas e prurido, sintomas estes iniciados 2 meses antes. À anamnese, revelou uso de estanozolol, testosterona e oximetolona em altas doses durante os 4 anos pregressos. Seus exames iniciais revelaram lesão hepática grave e azotemia, sendo o paciente diagnosticado com insuficiência renal aguda por lesão tubular pela hiperbilirrubinemia, necessitando de hemodiálise. O abuso de substâncias anabolizantes pode levar a complicações com risco de vida. São necessárias informação e divulgação das consequências do uso não terapêutico destas drogas, de modo a desestimular seu uso indiscriminado e a otimizar a habilidade dos setores de saúde em lidar com estes pacientes.(AU)

The use of anabolic androgenic steroids is common among young bodybuilders, because of their trophic effects on muscle tissue; however, the abuse of these substances may lead to dosedependent, severe and irreversible tissue damage. A case of liver poisoning from anabolic drug, complicated by acute kidney injury due to hyperbilirubinemia was reported. The patient's medical report review, and bibliographical research on the subject were conducted after the signing of the Free Informed Consent. A 28-year-old man was admitted in this hospital because of jaundice, weight loss, high fever, nausea and itching, which began 2 months earlier. At history taking, he revealed the use of stanozolol, testosterone, and oxymetholone in higher doses than recommended for 4 years. His first laboratorial tests revealed acute liver damage and azotemia, and the patient was diagnosed with acute kidney injury by tubular lesion caused by hyperbilirubinemia, and the need for hemodyalisis. The abuse of anabolic substances may lead to life-threatening complications. It is necessary to inform and disclose the consequences of non-therapeutic use of these drugs, in order to discourage its indiscriminate use, and to optimize clinical management of these patients in healthcare centers.(AU)

Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Ethanol Injection Protocol to Treat Solid and Mixed Thyroid Nodules.

CONTEXT: Ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) has been proposed for treatment of benign thyroid nodules (TNs). However, there is no consensus for the optimal amount of ethanol injection, number of applications, and time to re-evaluation in order to achieve maximum volume reduction with minimum adverse effects. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to analyze the effectiveness of an US-guided PEI protocol to treat solid and mixed TNs based on a new target outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a prospective study evaluating the results of PEI in 52 patients with benign solid and mixed TNs. The ethanol dose was fixed in 30% of the nodular volume per session. Patients returned 1 month after each session for US re-evaluation. Therapeutic success was defined as volume reduction of at least 30% associated with disappearance of clinical symptoms and a complete esthetic satisfaction reported by the patient. RESULTS: We performed a mean of 2.8 ± 1.9 PEI sessions, with an average total volume of ethanol injected of 9.1 ± 10.3 ml, and a follow-up time of 10.0 ± 8.7 months. There was a reduction of at least 50% of the initial nodular volume in 33 patients (63.5%). In 11 patients (21.2%), the reduction did not reach 50% (mean reduction of 31 ± 11%), but 6 of them reported esthetically satisfactory results and treatment was stopped. Our therapeutic success rate considering the patients with esthetic improvement was 75%. There were no severe complications. CONCLUSION: Our protocol is effective and safe to treat solid and mixed benign TNs based on our established outcome.

Health-related quality of life in people with type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: data from the Brazilian Type 1 Diabetes Study Group.

BACKGROUND: Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (Type 1 DM) affects the psychological and emotional well-being of patients and their families. This study aims to evaluate the health- related quality of life (HRQoL) of people with Type 1 DM in Brazil, a country of continental proportions, using the EuroQol questionnaires. METHODS: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional, multicenter study performed by the Brazilian Type 1 Diabetes Study Group, by analyzing EuroQol scores from 3,005 participants with Type 1 DM, in 28 public clinics in Brazil. Data on demography, economical status, chronic complications, glycemic control and lipid profile were also collected. RESULTS: The assessment of HRQoL by the EuroQol showed that the average score assigned to general health in Brazil is markedly lower than those found in two other Type 1 DM population-based studies conducted in Europe (EQ-VAS from the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Brazil were 80.8 ± 15.2, 75.1 ± 18.4 and 72.5 ± 22, respectively). Additionally, our data suggest that a better glycemic control could positively impact the HRQoL of people with Type 1 DM, implying that each 1 % reduction in glycated haemoglobin might lead to an increase of 1.5 points in general health status assessed by the EuroQol. CONCLUSIONS: This is a population-based study evaluating the HRQoL of people with Type 1 DM in Brazil. Our data indicate a worse quality of health of people with Type 1 DM in Brazil in comparison to Europe, and suggest that a better glycemic control could positively impact the HRQoL of these individuals. However, this study points to the existence of additional factors not yet evaluated that could be determinant in the HRQoL of these people.