Agents causing genital infections in routine cytological tests: frequency and characteristics of Papanicolaou smears / Agentes causadores de infecções genitais em exames citológicos de rotina: frequência e características dos esfregaços de papanicolaou

Urinary tract infections are responsible for most human infections, these are caused by bacteria, fungi, protozoa and associated microorganisms. The goal of this study was to determine the rate of vaginal infection-causing agents in routine cytological exams and also to evaluate the characteristics of positive tested Pap smears. A retrospective documental with descriptive aspect research was performed in a Clinical Pathology laboratory from Maceió-AL. The results of the Pap smears exams for Trichomonas vaginalis, Gardnerella vaginalis, Candida spp and HPV were arranged in a database as well as other data such as bacterial, protozoan, fungal and viral coinfections. The sample was composed by 18.645 women who have undergone Pap smear exams from 2013 to 2017. Of these analyzed exams, 27.4% in 2013, 10.9% in 2014, 10.6% in 2015, 15.2% in 2016 and 13.67% in 2017 were within normal range, however more than half of these exams presented some infections caused by unspecific or microbiological agents. By analyzing all the reports, 4.073 (21.84%) presented inflammations caused by some species of infectious agent with the following rate order: G. vaginalis and T. vaginalis. Furthermore, it was possible to confirm high rates of coinfection by and Candida spp. The rate of genital infections in this study highlights that there is a public health matter that must be controlled, which points a greater need for monitoring, guidance and actions towards greater awareness in order to prevent these problems.

Infecções do trato urinário são responsáveis pela maior parte das infecções humanas, sendo causadas por bactérias, fungos, protozoários, e por microrganismos associados. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a frequência de agentes causadores de infecções vaginais nos exames citológicos de rotina, bem como avaliar as características dos esfregaços positivos. Foi realizada uma pesquisa do tipo documental retrospectiva de aspecto descritivo, com abordagem quantitativa, em um Laboratório de Patologia Clínica de Maceió-AL. Nesse sentido, os resultados dos exames colpocitológicos para Trichomonas vaginalis, Gardnerella vaginalis, Candida spp e HPV foram organizados em um banco de dados, contendo os resultados para estes agentes, bem como a coinfecção bacteriana, protozoária, fúngica e viral. A amostra foi composta por 18.645 mulheres que realizaram exame colpocitológico, no período de 2013 a 2017. Destes exames analisados 27,4% em 2013, 10,9% em 2014, 10,6% em 2015, 15,2% em 2016 e 13,67% em 2017, estavam dentro do limite da normalidade, porém mais que a metade desses exames analisados apresentou algumas infecções causadas por agentes inespecíficos ou microbiológicos. Do total de laudos analisados, 4.073 (21,84%), apresentaram inflamações causadas por algum tipo de agente infeccioso, com a seguinte ordem de frequência: G. vaginalis, e T. vaginalis. Além disto, foi possível confirmar a elevada frequência de coinfecção entre G. vaginalis e Candida spp. Os índices de infecções genitais nesse trabalho mostram que há um problema de saúde pública que deve ser controlado, apontando uma necessidade maior de acompanhamento, orientações e de ações para uma maior conscientização para prevenir esses problemas.

Agents causing genital infections in routine cytological tests: frequency and characteristics of Papanicolaou smears

Abstract Urinary tract infections are responsible for most human infections, these are caused by bacteria, fungi, protozoa and associated microorganisms. The goal of this study was to determine the rate of vaginal infection-causing agents in routine cytological exams and also to evaluate the characteristics of positive tested Pap smears. A retrospective documental with descriptive aspect research was performed in a Clinical Pathology laboratory from Maceió-AL. The results of the Pap smears exams for Trichomonas vaginalis, Gardnerella vaginalis, Candida spp and HPV were arranged in a database as well as other data such as bacterial, protozoan, fungal and viral coinfections. The sample was composed by 18.645 women who have undergone Pap smear exams from 2013 to 2017. Of these analyzed exams, 27.4% in 2013, 10.9% in 2014, 10.6% in 2015, 15.2% in 2016 and 13.67% in 2017 were within normal range, however more than half of these exams presented some infections caused by unspecific or microbiological agents. By analyzing all the reports, 4.073 (21.84%) presented inflammations caused by some species of infectious agent with the following rate order: G. vaginalis and T. vaginalis. Furthermore, it was possible to confirm high rates of coinfection by and Candida spp. The rate of genital infections in this study highlights that there is a public health matter that must be controlled, which points a greater need for monitoring, guidance and actions towards greater awareness in order to prevent these problems.

Resumo Infecções do trato urinário são responsáveis pela maior parte das infecções humanas, sendo causadas por bactérias, fungos, protozoários, e por microrganismos associados. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a frequência de agentes causadores de infecções vaginais nos exames citológicos de rotina, bem como avaliar as características dos esfregaços positivos. Foi realizada uma pesquisa do tipo documental retrospectiva de aspecto descritivo, com abordagem quantitativa, em um Laboratório de Patologia Clínica de Maceió-AL. Nesse sentido, os resultados dos exames colpocitológicos para Trichomonas vaginalis, Gardnerella vaginalis, Candida spp e HPV foram organizados em um banco de dados, contendo os resultados para estes agentes, bem como a coinfecção bacteriana, protozoária, fúngica e viral. A amostra foi composta por 18.645 mulheres que realizaram exame colpocitológico, no período de 2013 a 2017. Destes exames analisados 27,4% em 2013, 10,9% em 2014, 10,6% em 2015, 15,2% em 2016 e 13,67% em 2017, estavam dentro do limite da normalidade, porém mais que a metade desses exames analisados apresentou algumas infecções causadas por agentes inespecíficos ou microbiológicos. Do total de laudos analisados, 4.073 (21,84%), apresentaram inflamações causadas por algum tipo de agente infeccioso, com a seguinte ordem de frequência: G. vaginalis, e T. vaginalis. Além disto, foi possível confirmar a elevada frequência de coinfecção entre G. vaginalis e Candida spp. Os índices de infecções genitais nesse trabalho mostram que há um problema de saúde pública que deve ser controlado, apontando uma necessidade maior de acompanhamento, orientações e de ações para uma maior conscientização para prevenir esses problemas.

Agents causing genital infections in routine cytological tests: frequency and characteristics of Papanicolaou smears / Agentes causadores de infecções genitais em exames citológicos de rotina: frequência e características dos esfregaços de papanicolaou

Urinary tract infections are responsible for most human infections, these are caused by bacteria, fungi, protozoa and associated microorganisms. The goal of this study was to determine the rate of vaginal infection-causing agents in routine cytological exams and also to evaluate the characteristics of positive tested Pap smears. A retrospective documental with descriptive aspect research was performed in a Clinical Pathology laboratory from Maceió-AL. The results of the Pap smears exams for Trichomonas vaginalis, Gardnerella vaginalis, Candida spp and HPV were arranged in a database as well as other data such as bacterial, protozoan, fungal and viral coinfections. The sample was composed by 18.645 women who have undergone Pap smear exams from 2013 to 2017. Of these analyzed exams, 27.4% in 2013, 10.9% in 2014, 10.6% in 2015, 15.2% in 2016 and 13.67% in 2017 were within normal range, however more than half of these exams presented some infections caused by unspecific or microbiological agents. By analyzing all the reports, 4.073 (21.84%) presented inflammations caused by some species of infectious agent with the following rate order: G. vaginalis and T. vaginalis. Furthermore, it was possible to confirm high rates of coinfection by and Candida spp. The rate of genital infections in this study highlights that there is a public health matter that must be controlled, which points a greater need for monitoring, guidance and actions towards greater awareness in order to prevent these problems.

Infecções do trato urinário são responsáveis pela maior parte das infecções humanas, sendo causadas por bactérias, fungos, protozoários, e por microrganismos associados. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a frequência de agentes causadores de infecções vaginais nos exames citológicos de rotina, bem como avaliar as características dos esfregaços positivos. Foi realizada uma pesquisa do tipo documental retrospectiva de aspecto descritivo, com abordagem quantitativa, em um Laboratório de Patologia Clínica de Maceió-AL. Nesse sentido, os resultados dos exames colpocitológicos para Trichomonas vaginalis, Gardnerella vaginalis, Candida spp e HPV foram organizados em um banco de dados, contendo os resultados para estes agentes, bem como a coinfecção bacteriana, protozoária, fúngica e viral. A amostra foi composta por 18.645 mulheres que realizaram exame colpocitológico, no período de 2013 a 2017. Destes exames analisados 27,4% em 2013, 10,9% em 2014, 10,6% em 2015, 15,2% em 2016 e 13,67% em 2017, estavam dentro do limite da normalidade, porém mais que a metade desses exames analisados apresentou algumas infecções causadas por agentes inespecíficos ou microbiológicos. Do total de laudos analisados, 4.073 (21,84%), apresentaram inflamações causadas por algum tipo de agente infeccioso, com a seguinte ordem de frequência: G. vaginalis, e T. vaginalis. Além disto, foi possível confirmar a elevada frequência de coinfecção entre G. vaginalis e Candida spp. Os índices de infecções genitais nesse trabalho mostram que há um problema de saúde pública que deve ser controlado, apontando uma necessidade maior de acompanhamento, orientações e de ações para uma maior conscientização para prevenir esses problemas.

Agents causing genital infections in routine cytological tests: frequency and characteristics of Papanicolaou smears.

Urinary tract infections are responsible for most human infections, these are caused by bacteria, fungi, protozoa and associated microorganisms. The goal of this study was to determine the rate of vaginal infection-causing agents in routine cytological exams and also to evaluate the characteristics of positive tested Pap smears. A retrospective documental with descriptive aspect research was performed in a Clinical Pathology laboratory from Maceió-AL. The results of the Pap smears exams for Trichomonas vaginalis, Gardnerella vaginalis, Candida spp and HPV were arranged in a database as well as other data such as bacterial, protozoan, fungal and viral coinfections. The sample was composed by 18.645 women who have undergone Pap smear exams from 2013 to 2017. Of these analyzed exams, 27.4% in 2013, 10.9% in 2014, 10.6% in 2015, 15.2% in 2016 and 13.67% in 2017 were within normal range, however more than half of these exams presented some infections caused by unspecific or microbiological agents. By analyzing all the reports, 4.073 (21.84%) presented inflammations caused by some species of infectious agent with the following rate order: G. vaginalis and T. vaginalis. Furthermore, it was possible to confirm high rates of coinfection by and Candida spp. The rate of genital infections in this study highlights that there is a public health matter that must be controlled, which points a greater need for monitoring, guidance and actions towards greater awareness in order to prevent these problems.

Radial distribution function for liquid gallium from experimental structure factor: a Hopfield neural network approach.

Hopfield neural network was used to retrieve liquid gallium radial distribution function from an experimental structure factor, obtained at 959 K. The inversion framework was carried out under two initial conditions: (a) a constant radial distribution function corresponding to an ideal gas and (b) a step function, simulating a gas with square well potential of interaction. Both situations lead to accurate inverse results if compared with the radial distribution function obtained by Bellisent-Funel et al., using the Fourier transform method and Monte Carlo simulation. The Hopfield neural network has shown to be a powerful strategy to calculate the radial distribution function from experimental data.

Fractional kinetics on thermal analysis: application to lumefantrine thermal decomposition.

The fractional derivative concept to treat non-isothermal solid state thermal decomposition was employed in this work. Simulated data were compared with the exact solutions for the method validation. Calculated fractional kinetics data for four heating rates were initially considered and the Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS) method demonstrate that, although the activation energy is not retrieved, it can be useful to determine a single or multistep process. Experimental thermal decomposition data of lumefantrine heated at 5, 10 ,15, and 20 oC min- 1 were fitted for a single-step process. The kinetic parameters were retrieved for integer and fractional kinetics, considering some ideal and general models. Application of the KAS method to these data demonstrated an activation energy dependent on the conversion rate, indicating a multistep process. Five data subintervals were fitted separately using the general model with variable derivative order. It was found a process that occours with integer order derivative until α = 0.3 and fractional order for α > 0.3 with combination of simultaneous reactions, since the parameters do not correspond to any ideal model. The determined activation energies showed the same increasing behavior observed in the KAS approach. The results for multistep process presented an error 102 times smaller if compared with the best result, considering a single-step process. Therefore, the fractional kinetic model presents a powerful extension to the usual thermal data analysis.

Perkinsus beihaiensis (Perkinsozoa) in oysters of Bahia State, Brazil / Perkinsus beihaiensis (Perkinsozoa) em ostras do Estado da Bahia

Abstract This study reports the pathogen Perkinsus beihaiensis in oysters of the genus Crassostrea on the coast of the State of Bahia (Brazil), its prevalence, infection intensity and correlation with salinity. Oysters (n = 240) were collected between October and December 2014 at eight sampling stations between latitudes 13°55'S and 15°42'S. The laboratory procedures included macroscopic analysis, histology, culture in Ray's fluid thioglycollate medium (RFTM), Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing. PCR and sequencing have been used for the genetic identification of oysters as well. Two species of oysters have been identified: Crassostrea rhizophorae and C. brasiliana. In both oyster species P. beihaiensis was the only Perkinsus species detected. In C. rhizophorae, the average prevalence was 82.8% by histology and 65.2% by RFTM. In C. brasiliana, the prevalences were 70.5% and 35.7%, respectively. The higher prevalence of P. beihaiensis in C. rhizophorae was probably influenced by salinity, with which was positively correlated (r> 0.8). In both oysters, P. beihaiensis was located mainly in the gastric epithelium. The infection was generally mild or moderate, without apparent harm to the hosts, but in cases of severe infection, there was hemocytical reaction and tissue disorganization. The generally high prevalence in the region suggests that oysters should be monitored with respect to this pathogen, especially in growing areas.

Resumo Este estudo relata o patógeno Perkinsus beihaiensis em ostras do gênero Crassostrea no litoral do Estado da Bahia (Brasil), sua prevalência, intensidade de infecção e correlação com a salinidade. As ostras (n = 240) foram coletadas entre outubro e dezembro de 2014 em oito estações amostrais entre as latitudes 13°55'S e 15°42'S. Os procedimentos laboratoriais incluíram análise macroscópica, histologia, cultivo em meio de tioglicolato de Ray (RFTM), reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) e sequenciamento de DNA. PCR e sequenciamento foram também utilizados para a identificação genética das ostras. Foram identificadas duas espécies de ostras: Crassostrea rhizophorae e C. brasiliana. Em ambas as espécies, P. beihaiensis foi a única espécie de Perkinsus detectada. Em C. rhizophorae, a prevalência média foi de 82,8% por histologia e de 65,2% por RFTM. Em C. brasiliana, as prevalências foram de 70,5% e 35,7%, respectivamente. A maior prevalência de P. beihaiensis em C. rhizophorae foi provavelmente influenciada pela salinidade, com a qual este apresentou correlação positiva (r>0,8). Em ambas as espécies, P. beihaiensis esteve localizada principalmente no epitélio gástrico. A infecção foi geralmente leve ou moderada, sem danos aparentes aos hospedeiros, mas em casos de infecção severa, houve reação hemocitária e desorganização de tecidos. As prevalências geralmente altas na região sugerem que as ostras devam ser monitoradas com relação a este patógeno, principalmente em áreas de cultivo.

Perkinsus beihaiensis (Perkinsozoa) in oysters of Bahia State, Brazil.

This study reports the pathogen Perkinsus beihaiensis in oysters of the genus Crassostrea on the coast of the State of Bahia (Brazil), its prevalence, infection intensity and correlation with salinity. Oysters (n = 240) were collected between October and December 2014 at eight sampling stations between latitudes 13°55'S and 15°42'S. The laboratory procedures included macroscopic analysis, histology, culture in Ray's fluid thioglycollate medium (RFTM), Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing. PCR and sequencing have been used for the genetic identification of oysters as well. Two species of oysters have been identified: Crassostrea rhizophorae and C. brasiliana. In both oyster species P. beihaiensis was the only Perkinsus species detected. In C. rhizophorae, the average prevalence was 82.8% by histology and 65.2% by RFTM. In C. brasiliana, the prevalences were 70.5% and 35.7%, respectively. The higher prevalence of P. beihaiensis in C. rhizophorae was probably influenced by salinity, with which was positively correlated (r> 0.8). In both oysters, P. beihaiensis was located mainly in the gastric epithelium. The infection was generally mild or moderate, without apparent harm to the hosts, but in cases of severe infection, there was hemocytical reaction and tissue disorganization. The generally high prevalence in the region suggests that oysters should be monitored with respect to this pathogen, especially in growing areas.

Occupational group, educational level, marital status and deleterious habits among individuals with maxillofacial fractures: retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the occupational profile, educational level, marital status and deleterious habits to the health of patients with maxillofacial fractures of a population of northeastern Brazil. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study of patients records admitted to the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the Walter Cantidio University Hospital (Fortaleza, Brazil) who sustained maxillofacial fractures was conducted in the period between 2006 and 2015. RESULTS: A total of 338 patients rendered 355 fractures. Males were the most affected (p <0.001), with prevalence in the third decade of life (p <0.001). There was a predominance of motorcycle accidents (p <0.001), home workers (p <0.001), low educational status (p = 0.032), and no cigarette use (p <0.001) or alcohol (p = 0.023). Fractures of the zygomatic-orbital complex were the most prevalent in the sample (p <0.001). CONCLUSION: The sociodemographic profile exerted a significant influence on the epidemiological profile of maxillofacial fractures in a Brazilian population during the study period.

Canine hepatozoonosis in southeastern Bahia, Brazil.

In Brazil, canine hepatozoonosis is a tick-borne subclinical hemoparasitosis caused by a protozoa Hepatozoon canis and is highly prevalent in dogs in rural areas. An epizootiological study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of H. canis in the canine population of Ituberá, Bahia, and to analyze any associated risk factors. Blood samples were collected from 380 dogs and determined the presence of the protozoan by performing capillary blood smear and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Epizootiological data were collected by asking dog owners to answer a structured questionnaire. H. canis gamonts were not detected in the blood smears. However, PCR detected H. canis in 163/380 (42.9%) dogs examined. Physical examination and anamnesis indicated 105 (64.4%) positive asymptomatic dogs. Hematological alterations were observed in 115 (70.5%) infected dogs. No clinical, hematological, or epizootiological variable was found to be significantly associated to the infection. In conclusion, the high prevalence of H. canis infection in local dogs may be because of the peri-urban features of this municipality. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, this study the first study to report H. canis infection in the State of Bahia.

Diagnosis and epidemiology of canine leishmaniasis in southeastern Bahia, Brazil.

Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania. Two distinct forms are recognized: visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). In the Americas, the causative agent of VL is L. infantum chagasi, whereas L. braziliensis is principally responsible for CL. Domestic dogs constitute the main source of VL in urban environments, and have also been implicated in CL epidemiology. We carried out molecular and serological surveys to detect Leishmania infection in dogs from the municipality of Ituberá in Bahia, Brazil. Furthermore, we identified risk factors associated with illness in dogs from this locality. Blood samples were collected from 399 dogs and tested using an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect Leishmania spp antibodies and L. infantum chagasi and L. braziliensis DNA, respectively. Dogs were clinically evaluated and tissue samples from those exhibiting skin lesions were examined for parasites. In addition, the dog owners completed an epidemiological questionnaire to identify factors associated with infection. Skin lesions consistent with CL were found on 37 (9.3%) of the evaluated animals, but parasitological examination was negative for all samples. The IFA returned positive results for 60 (15%) dogs. PCR identified DNA from L. braziliensis in 86 (21.6%) animals, where as all samples proved negative for L. infantum chagasi. The 134 dogs (33.6%) testing positive using IFA and/ or PCR were considered infected, and of these, only 13 demonstrated skin lesions. Animals from rural areas were 3.39-times more likely to be infected compared to those in urban environments.

Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis in dogs in Brazil: epidemiology, co-infection, and clinical aspects.

Leishmaniasis is an endemic disease present in 98 countries. In Brazil, the northeast region accounts for approximately half of the cases in humans, and has experienced an increased number of positive cases in dogs. In this study, we investigated the epidemiology of canine leishmaniasis in the city of Ilhéus, Bahia, using serological and molecular techniques and evaluated the possible environmental risk factors and associated clinical signs. Blood samples were collected from 560 dogs in urban and peri-urban areas in Ilhéus, northeastern Brazil. Genomic DNA was extracted from the selected animals and subjected to molecular analysis using Leishmania species-specific primers and diagnosis of Trypanosoma cruzi. A total of 54.72% of dogs were positive for Leishmania braziliensis, and animals positive for both Leishmania infantum and T. cruzi were not identified. Hematologic variables were not statistically associated with cases of L. braziliensis. However, the positive animal group showed lower red blood cell and platelet counts and higher levels of urea and serum creatinine. Few dogs presented clinical signs compatible with the presence of Leishmania. Age of more than 2 years and specific hair colors were associated with positive results for L. braziliensis. The geoclimatic characteristics of the region may improve parasite survival, reproduction, and vectors. This may explain the higher rate of dogs identified as positive in this study.

Identification and genetic characterization of a new Brazilian genotype of Toxoplasma gondii from sheep intended for human consumption.

Recent studies have demonstrated that strains of Toxoplasma gondii in Brazil are frequently different from those detected in other countries, thus making an accurate phylogenetic analysis difficult. The aim of this study was to genetically characterize T. gondii samples from sheep raised in southern Bahia and intended for human consumption, by means of PCR-RFLP and sequencing techniques. Experimental samples were obtained from 200 sheep brains purchased at butcher's shops in Itabuna, Bahia, Brazil. In total, three samples (#54, #124 and #127) were T. gondii-positive. The application of multilocus PCR-RFLP using ten molecular markers (SAG1, SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, c22-8, PK1, GRA6, L358, c-29-2 and Apico) revealed a single genotype common to all samples of this study, which differed from any other published T. gondii genotypes. An atypical allele was detected in the L358 genetic marker; this has not previously been shown in any other South American T. gondii isolates. Phylogenetic analysis on the sequences from multilocus PCR sequencing revealed that these three samples were classified into the same lineage. Extensive indel regions were detected in the Apico genetic marker. Together, our findings revealed a new Brazilian T. gondii genotype. Further research should be conducted to enrich the database of Brazilian T. gondii genotypes from different regions. This will make it possible to understand the phylogenetic relationship between isolates.

Genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from pigs intended for human consumption in Brazil.

This study genetically Toxoplasma gondii isolates obtained from pigs intended for human consumption in northeastern Brazil; multilocus PCR-RFLP and sequencing techniques were utilized. Bioassays were conducted using the brain and tongue of 20 pig heads purchased at butcher shops in the city of Ilheus, Bahia, Brazil. Overall, 11 T. gondii isolates designated TgPgBr06-16 were identified. Application of multilocus PCR-RFLP with seven molecular markers (SAG1, SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, C22-8, PK1 and Apico) identified six different genotypes. Isolates TgPgBr 06, 08, 11, 12, 14 and 15 were indistinguishable by this technique, forming a single genotype; the remaining isolates were characterized as distinct genotypes. However, when five genetic markers (SAG1, SAG2, SAG3, BTUB and c22-8) were employed in multilocus PCR-sequencing, all eleven strains of T. gondii were shown to be different. All isolates differed from Type I, II and III clonal genotypes using both genotyping techniques. These results demonstrate that the multilocus PCR-RFLP assay underestimated the true diversity of the T. gondii population in this study. Thus, DNA sequencing is the preferred technique to infer the genetic diversity and population structure of T. gondii strains from Brazil. Moreover, it is necessary to develop new molecular markers to group and characterize atypical T. gondii isolates from South America.

The relationship between tooth wear in the primary and permanent dentitions.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between tooth wear in primary and permanent dentition in 7 to 10-year-old school children, in 2007. METHODS: An epidemiological cross-sectional survey was conducted by trained, calibrated examiners, using the dental wear index (DWI). The cluster sample consisted of 764 children (382 boys, 382 girls) attending 4 public schools selected in different regions of the city. The DWI was proposed to evaluate primary and permanent teeth, coded as letters and numbers, respectively. Data were collected via clinical examinations performed outdoors under natural light, following the WHO recommendations and using a dental mirror and probe. Proportions and confidence intervals were used to describe the prevalence of dental wear. The Mann-Whitney and the Odds Ratio (OR) tests were used to compare the tooth wear prevalence between primary and permanent teeth according to surface (p < 0.05). RESULTS: The 7 to 10-year-old school children presented 16% tooth wear. The tooth wear was mostly seen on the occlusal/incisal surfaces (47%), involving enamel or enamel-dentine. Tooth wear in primary teeth was found in canines and molars (93%) and in permanent teeth in molars (34%). There was significant difference between primary and permanent teeth (p < 0.001) and dental wear in primary teeth was greater in boys than in girls (p = 0.02) but not in permanent teeth. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that 7 to 10-year-old children with tooth wear in primary teeth had more chances of developing tooth wear in permanent dentition. However, the findings of this study are not conclusive as the associations described are not causal.

Molecular diagnosis of Eimeria species affecting naturally infected Gallus gallus.

We used PCR to test various protocols and define a technique for DNA extraction directly from chicken-shed stool samples for the identification of Eimeria species that parasitize birds. It was possible to extract and amplify DNA of seven Eimeria species from field stool samples, using both protocols tested; extractions made with phenol/chloroform protocols gave the best results. The primers were specific and sensitive, allowing amplification of samples containing as few as 20 oocysts, both in individual and in a multiplex PCR. Individualized PCR with the phenol/chloroform DNA extraction protocol detected a larger number of Eimeria species. Molecular diagnosis was found to be practical and precise, and can be used for monitoring and epidemiological studies of Eimeria.

Epidemiological and molecular study of Ehrlichia canis in dogs in Bahia, Brazil.

The objective of the present article was an epidemiological and molecular study of Ehrlichia canis in dogs of Ilhéus and Itabuna in Bahia, as well as an evaluation of associated risk factors. Blood samples were collected from 153 dogs and DNA was extracted and analyzed by the nested-polymerase chain reaction, using one pair of primers to detect Ehrlichia bacteria and another pair to detect the presence of E. canis. Of the 153 animals, 12 (7.8%) were polymerase chain reaction-positive for E. canis, indicating the presence of the parasite in dogs of the Ilhéus-Itabuna microregion. The associated risk factors were exposure to tick-infested habitats and the fact that the dogs lived in the countryside.

[Computerized electrocardiography system of Porto. I -- General description and experience with its use]. / O sistema do Porto de electrocardiografia computorizado. I--Descrição geral e experiência de Utilização.

After a brief review of computer assisted ECG interpretation techniques, a microcomputer-based system for off-line ECG (Frank) analysis and interpretation developed at the University of Porto is presented. The program is menu-structured and includes report correction and editing facilities. Clinical data can be stored along with the ECG in the individual patient file. More than 500 characteristics are extracted from the ECG signal by the measurement section of the program. The diagnostic section uses Boolean-tree logic. The diagnostic threshold values and interpretation statements are kept in an independent file and can be changed at any moment by the user. Taking the cardiologist using the same logic and criteria as reference standard, an evaluation of the diagnostic efficiency of the system was performed in 509 reports from pediatric and adult patients: 7% of the reports needed corrections and 113 (3.7%) out of 3070 diagnostic statements produced had to be changed. Output options include the clinical data, more or less extensive listings of the wave measurements, X, Y and Z and polar plots and the 12-lead (derived) ECG, besides the interpretation report itself.

Minimally invasive approach to traumatic intracerebral hematomas.

Trauma is one of the leading causes of death in Brazil. We report on 28 cases of traumatic intracerebral hematomas operated on via a minimally invasive approach. A simplified method of localization and right placement of the burr hole is described in details, as well as the technique used in all cases. Every patient was submitted to pre- and postoperative CT scan (computerized tomography) and had the volume of the hematoma measured before the surgical procedure to compare the efficacy of the treatment. No patient needed a second operation, even though in some cases there were residual hematomas. We believe that this approach can be done with safety and replace a standard craniotomy in selected cases.