Patterns of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in different anatomical sites among Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) users in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The presence of untreated sexually transmitted infections (STIs) significantly increases the chance of acquiring HIV. In Brazil, testing for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) among Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) users is insufficient, and syndromic treatment is a priority in clinical practice. Multi-site testing for CT/NG improves thescreening of asymptomatic cases and ensures timely treatment. Therefore, it is essential for HIV prevention. This study aims to test the importance of two-site testing for better screening of these pathogens and to determine whether the presence of symptoms is an indicator of CT/NG infection. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study carried out in four public infectious diseases clinics in São Paulo State, Brazil between January of 2022 and March of 2023. All participants had an anal swab and a first-pass or mid-stream urine collected for CT/NG analysis by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Data about sociodemographic, sexual behavioural and clinical aspects were collected. Pathway analysis was used to examine the direct and indirect relationships between variables according to the theoretical model. RESULTS: We screened 171 PrEP users which had two samples collected, resulting in 342 samples. Comparing the anatomic sites, the urine samples showed lower sensitivity for CT and NG than anal samples. Gonorrhoea was directly linked to lower age (ß= -0.161, p = 0.001). Time of PrEP use was directly associated with CT infection (ß = 0.202; p = 0.042) and inversely associated with dysuria (ß= -0.121, p = 0.009). Lower occurrence of yellow-green secretion was linked to detection of CT (ß= -0.089, p = 0.005) and NG (ß= -0.048, p = 0.002) infections. Foul-smelling discharge was directly associated with CT (ß = 0.275, p = 0.004) and NG (ß = 0.295, p = 0.037) infection. CONCLUSION: The symptoms are a bad indicator of CT and NG infection, and the screening must be done in more than one site since most of the positive results would be missed if only urines were tested. In the case of testing only one anatomical site, specifically the urethra, the CT/NG incidence and prevalence would be underestimated. The two-sites testing improves detection rates of CT/NG, and PrEP follow-up benefits people offering STI testing.

Endourology (Lithiasis). Management, surgical considerations and follow-up of patients in the COVID-19 era.

PURPOSE: To provide recommendations on the endourological management of lithiasis in the scenario of the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A non-systematic review in PubMed and the grey literature, as well as recommendations by a panel of stakeholders was made, regarding management, surgical considerations and follow-up of patients affected by lithiasis in the COVID-19 era. RESULTS: Under the current outbreak and COVID-19 pandemic scenario, patients affected by lithiasis should be prioritized into low, intermediate and high risk categories, to decide their delay and save resources, healthcare personnel, beds and ventilators. However, patients with potentially serious septic complications need emergency interventions. The possibility of performing or restarting elective activity depends on local conditions, the availability of beds and ventilators, and the implementation of screening protocols in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Delaying lithiasis surgery and increasing waiting lists will have consequences and will require considerable additional effort. Teleconsultation may be useful in guiding these patients, reducing visits and unnecessary exposure. CONCLUSIONS: categorization and prioritization of patients affected by lithiasis is crucial for management, surgical selection and follow-up. Protocols, measures and additional efforts should be carried out in the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Endourology (Lithiasis). management, surgical considerations and follow-up of patients in the COVID-19 era

ABSTRACT Purpose: To provide recommendations on the endourological management of lithiasis in the scenario of the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: A non-systematic review in PubMed and the grey literature, as well as recommendations by a panel of stakeholders was made, regarding management, surgical considerations and follow-up of patients affected by lithiasis in the COVID-19 era. Results: Under the current outbreak and COVID-19 pandemic scenario, patients affected by lithiasis should be prioritized into low, intermediate and high risk categories, to decide their delay and save resources, healthcare personnel, beds and ventilators. However, patients with potentially serious septic complications need emergency interventions. The possibility of performing or restarting elective activity depends on local conditions, the availability of beds and ventilators, and the implementation of screening protocols in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Delaying lithiasis surgery and increasing waiting lists will have consequences and will require considerable additional effort. Teleconsultation may be useful in guiding these patients, reducing visits and unnecessary exposure. Conclusions: categorization and prioritization of patients affected by lithiasis is crucial for management, surgical selection and follow-up. Protocols, measures and additional efforts should be carried out in the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Association of PTH and carotid thickness in patients with chronic kidney failure and secondary hyperparathyroidism.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death in terminal patients with chronic kidney failure (CKF). Diverse risk factors are involved in the pathogenesis, and are classified as traditional, which affect the general population; and non-traditional, which are peculiar to patients with CKF. Secondary hyperparathyroidism, a non-traditional and common factor in CKF, can cause an increased rate of bone absorption with mobilization of calcium and phosphorus. If the product of calcium x phosphorus is increased, the solubility of this ionic pair may be exceeded and deposition of calcium phosphate in cardiac and vascular tissues occur (called metastatic calcification). OBJECTIVE: To verify eventual relationship between the thickness of the common carotid artery and the levels of PTH in patients with CKF. METHODS: Evaluations by Doppler ultrasonography were performed to measure the width of the carotid artery wall and to search for possible correlations between different values of PTH serum levels, mineral disturbances and traditional risk factors in the carotid changes found in individuals with dialytic CKF and secondary hyperparathyroidism. RESULTS: Differences in the cholesterol level and age were observed in patients with signals of arterial calcification. A significant relationship was also observed between the PTH serum levels and the carotid artery wall thickness (r = 0.31, p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Data from this study show the possible concomitance of traditional factors and factors related to CKF in the genesis of CVDs in uremia.

Associação de PTH e espessura carotídea em pacientes com falência renal crônica e hiperparatireoidismo secundário / Association of PTH and carotid thickness in patients with chronic kidney failure and secondary hyperparathyroidism

Introdução: Doenças cardiovasculares (DCVs) são as principais causas de mortalidade em pacientes portadores de falência renal crônica (FRC). Diversos fatores de risco estão envolvidos na patogênese e são classificados em tradicionais - que afetam a população em geral; e não tradicionais - que são peculiares aos pacientes renais crônicos. Hiperparatireoidismo secundário, um fator não tradicional e comum na FRC, causa aumento da taxa de reabsorção óssea e mobilização do cálcio e do fósforo. À medida que o produto cálcio x fósforo aumenta, a solubilidade desse par iônico pode ser excedida e ocorrer deposição de fosfato de cálcio nos tecidos cardiovasculares (denominada calcificação metastática). Objetivo: Verificar possível relação entre a espessura da artéria carótida primitiva e os níveis de PTH em pacientes com FRC. Métodos: Foram realizados exames ultrassonográficos com Doppler para medir a espessura da artéria carótida e avaliar possíveis correlações entre diferentes elevações nos níveis séricos do PTH, distúrbios minerais e fatores de risco tradicionais e as alterações encontradas na carótida de portadores de FRC dialítica e hiperparatireoidismo secundário. Resultados: Foi observada diferença no nível de colesterol e na idade dos pacientes que apresentavam sinais de calcificação arterial. Também foi detectada relação significativa entre os níveis de PTH e a espessura da parede da carótida (r = 0,31; p = 0,03). Conclusão: Dados desse estudo mostram a possível concomitância de fatores tradicionais e os relacionados com a FRC na gênese das DCVs na uremia. .

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death in terminal patients with chronic kidney failure (CKF). Diverse risk factors are involved in the pathogenesis, and are classified as traditional, which affect the general population; and non-traditional, which are peculiar to patients with CKF. Secondary hyperparathyroidism, a non-traditional and common factor in CKF, can cause an increased rate of bone absorption with mobilization of calcium and phosphorus. If the product of calcium x phosphorus is increased, the solubility of this ionic pair may be exceeded and deposition of calcium phosphate in cardiac and vascular tissues occur (called metastatic calcification). Objective: To verify eventual relationship between the thickness of the common carotid artery and the levels of PTH in patients with CKF. Methods: Evaluations by Doppler ultrasonography were performed to measure the width of the carotid artery wall and to search for possible correlations between different values of PTH serum levels, mineral disturbances and traditional risk factors in the carotid changes found in individuals with dialytic CKF and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Results: Differences in the cholesterol level and age were observed in patients with signals of arterial calcification. A significant relationship was also observed between the PTH serum levels and the carotid artery wall thickness (r = 0.31, p = 0.03). Conclusion: Data from this study show the possible concomitance of traditional factors and factors related to CKF in the genesis of CVDs in uremia. .