Alcohol use among fatally injured victims in São Paulo, Brazil: bridging the gap between research and health services in developing countries.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Most studies reporting alcohol use among fatally injured victims are subject to bias, particularly those related to sample selection and to absence of injury context data. We developed a research method to estimate the prevalence of alcohol consumption and test correlates of alcohol use prior to fatal injuries. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Cross-sectional study based on a probability sample of fatally injured adult victims (n = 365) autopsied in São Paulo, Brazil. Victims were sampled within systematically selected 8-hour sampling blocks, generating a representative sample of fatal injuries occurring during all hours of the day for each day of the week between June 2014 and December 2015. MEASUREMENTS: The presence of alcohol and blood alcohol concentration (BAC) were the primary outcomes evaluated according to victims' socio-demographic, injury context data (type, day, time and injury place) and criminal history characteristics. FINDINGS: Alcohol was detected in 30.1% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 25.6-35.1)] of the victims, with a mean blood alcohol level (BAC) level of 0.11% w/v (95% CI = 0.09-0.13) among alcohol-positive cases. Black and mixed race victims presented a higher mean BAC than white victims (P = 0.03). Fewer than one in every six suicides tested positive for alcohol, while almost half of traffic-related casualties were alcohol-positive. Having suffered traffic-related injuries, particularly those involving vehicle crashes, and injuries occurring during weekends and at night were associated significantly with alcohol use before injury (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly one-third of fatal injuries in São Paulo between June 2014 and December 2015 were alcohol-related, with traffic accidents showing a greater association with alcohol use than other injuries. The sampling methodology tested here, including the possibility of adding injury context data to improve population-based estimates of alcohol use before fatal injury, appears to be a reliable and lower-cost strategy for avoiding biases common in death investigations.

Longitudinal study of patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy in Brazil (SaMi-Trop project): a cohort profile.

PURPOSE: We have established a prospective cohort of 1959 patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy to evaluate if a clinical prediction rule based on ECG, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels, and other biomarkers can be useful in clinical practice. This paper outlines the study and baseline characteristics of the participants. PARTICIPANTS: The study is being conducted in 21 municipalities of the northern part of Minas Gerais State in Brazil, and includes a follow-up of 2 years. The baseline evaluation included collection of sociodemographic information, social determinants of health, health-related behaviours, comorbidities, medicines in use, history of previous treatment for Chagas disease, functional class, quality of life, blood sample collection, and ECG. Patients were mostly female, aged 50-74 years, with low family income and educational level, with known Chagas disease for >10 years; 46% presented with functional class >II. Previous use of benznidazole was reported by 25.2% and permanent use of pacemaker by 6.2%. Almost half of the patients presented with high blood cholesterol and hypertension, and one-third of them had diabetes mellitus. N-terminal of the prohormone BNP (NT-ProBNP) level was >300 pg/mL in 30% of the sample. FINDINGS TO DATE: Clinical and laboratory markers predictive of severe and progressive Chagas disease were identified as high NT-ProBNP levels, as well as symptoms of advanced heart failure. These results confirm the important residual morbidity of Chagas disease in the remote areas, thus supporting political decisions that should prioritise in addition to epidemiological surveillance the medical treatment of chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy in the coming years. The São Paulo-Minas Gerais Tropical Medicine Research Center (SaMi-Trop) represents a major challenge for focused research in neglected diseases, with knowledge that can be applied in primary healthcare. FUTURE PLANS: We will continue following this patients' cohort to provide relevant information about the development and progression of Chagas disease in remotes areas, with social and economic inequalities. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02646943; Pre-results.

Factors Associated with Low Levels of HIV Testing among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in Brazil.

The aim of this study was to assess risk factors associated with low levels of HIV testing among MSM recruited through respondent driven sampling (RDS) in Brazil. Of 3,617 participants, 48.4% had never tested previously for HIV. A logistic model indicated that younger age, lower socioeconomic class, education, poor HIV/AIDS knowledge, no history of cruising, and having been tested during the study were characteristics independently associated with low levels of previous HIV testing. The HIV testing rate among MSM in Brazil is still low in spite of the availability of a large number services providing universal and free access to HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment. To respond to low utilization, the authors propose a higher priority for testing for key populations such as MSM, expanded education, expanding testing sites and a welcoming and nonjudgmental environment in health services.

The "AMA-Brazil" cooperative project: a nation-wide assessment of the clinical and epidemiological profile of AIDS-related deaths in Brazil in the antiretroviral treatment era.

The objective of this study was to assess the profile of AIDS-related deaths in the post antiretroviral therapy (ART) scale up period in Brazil. A case-control study was conducted including a nationally probabilistic sample of AIDS deaths and living controls. Data were abstracted from medical records and nation-wide databases of AIDS cases, mortality, ART care, and laboratory testing. Interrupted (adjusted odds ratio--AOR 4.35, 95%CI: 3.15-6.00) or no use of ART (AOR 2.39, 95%CI: 1.57-3.65) was the strongest predictor of death, followed by late diagnosis (AOR 3.95, 95%CI: 2.68-5.82). Criterion other than CD4 < 350 had a higher likelihood of death (AOR 1.65, 95%CI: 1.14-2.40). Not receiving recommended vaccines (AOR, 1.76, 95%CI: 1.21-2.56), presenting AIDS-related diseases (AOR 2.19, 95%CI: 1.22-3.93) and tuberculosis (AOR 1.50, 95%CI: 1.14-1.97) had higher odds of death. Being an injecting drug user (IDU) had a borderline association with higher odds of death, while homo/bisexual exposure showed a protective effect. Despite remarkable successes, Brazilians continue to die of AIDS in the post-ART scale up period. Many factors contributing to continued mortality are preventable.

The "AMA-Brazil" cooperative project: a nation-wide assessment of the clinical and epidemiological profile of AIDS-related deaths in Brazil in the antiretroviral treatment era / Projeto cooperativo AMA-Brasil: um estudo nacional do perfil clinico e epidemiológico dos óbitos relacionados à AIDS na era da terapia antirretroviral

The objective of this study was to assess the profile of AIDS-related deaths in the post antiretroviral therapy (ART) scale up period in Brazil. A case-control study was conducted including a nationally probabilistic sample of AIDS deaths and living controls. Data were abstracted from medical records and nation-wide databases of AIDS cases, mortality, ART care, and laboratory testing. Interrupted (adjusted odds ratio - AOR 4.35, 95 percentCI: 3.15-6.00) or no use of ART (AOR 2.39, 95 percentCI: 1.57-3.65) was the strongest predictor of death, followed by late diagnosis (AOR 3.95, 95 percentCI: 2.68-5.82). Criterion other than CD4 < 350 had a higher likelihood of death (AOR 1.65, 95 percentCI: 1.14-2.40). Not receiving recommended vaccines (AOR, 1.76, 95 percentCI: 1.21-2.56), presenting AIDS-related diseases (AOR 2.19, 95 percentCI: 1.22-3.93) and tuberculosis (AOR 1.50, 95 percentCI: 1.14-1.97) had higher odds of death. Being an injecting drug user (IDU) had a borderline association with higher odds of death, while homo/bisexual exposure showed a protective effect. Despite remarkable successes, Brazilians continue to die of AIDS in the post-ART scale up period. Many factors contributing to continued mortality are preventable.

Analisou-se o perfil clínico e epidemiológico dos óbitos relacionados à AIDS no período posterior à implementação da terapia antirretroviral (TARV) no Brasil, em um estudo caso-controle, com amostra representativa de óbitos por AIDS e de pessoas vivendo com AIDS, utilizando dados secundários. Abandono (odds ratio ajustada - AOR = 4,35, IC95 por cento: 3,15-6,00) ou não uso da TARV (AOR = 2,39, IC95 por cento: 1,57-3,65) foi o mais forte preditor de morte, seguido de diagnóstico tardio (AOR = 3,95, IC95 por cento: 2,68-5,82). Critério de definição de AIDS que não o "CD4 < 350" esteve associado a uma maior probabilidade de morte (AOR = 1,65, IC95 por cento: 1,14-2,40). Pacientes que não receberam vacinas recomendadas (AOR = 1,76, 95 por centoCI: 1,21-2,56), apresentando doenças associadas à AIDS (AOR = 2,19, IC95 por cento: 1,22-3,93) e com tuberculose (AOR = 1,50, IC95 por cento: 1,14-1,97), tiveram maior risco de morte. A categoria de exposição UDI apresentou maior chance de óbito. Apesar do sucesso com as introduções precoces da TARV, brasileiros continuaram a morrer de AIDS no período posterior à implementação da terapia, e muitas das causas subjacentes a essa mortalidade são preveníveis.

Effectiveness of the polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine among HIV-infected persons in Brazil: a case control study.

BACKGROUND: Polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for use in HIV-infected adults in Brazil but there is uncertainty about its effectiveness in this patient population. The main objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the 23-valent polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine against invasive pneumococcal infection among HIV-infected adult patients in São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: A case-control study of 79 cases and 242 controls matched on CD4+ cell count and health care setting was conducted. Among HIV-infected adults in São Paulo, Brazil, with and without S. pneumoniae recovered from a normally sterile site; prior receipt of 23 valent polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine was determined by review of medical records and patient interview. RESULTS: After adjustment for confounding factors, the point estimate for the effectiveness of 23 valent polysaccharide vaccine among HIV-infected adults against all invasive pneumococcal infection was 18% (95% CI: <0 to 62%). CONCLUSION: We were unable to demonstrate a statistically significant protective effect of 23 valent polysaccharide against invasive pneumococcal infection vaccine among HIV-infected adults in Brazil.While the vaccine is relatively inexpensive and safe, its effectiveness among HIV-infected adults in Brazil is uncertain.

Acesso a medicamentos para AIDS: lições da iniciativa brasileira / Acess to medicines for AIDS: lessons from the Brazilian initiative

Este artigo situa a inicitaiva brasileira de distribuição de medicamentos para Aids na integração do esforço global para o estabelecimento de politicas que favoreçam o acesso a medicamentos, sobretudo nos paises em desenvolvimento. Para tal, mencionam-se e analisam-se algumas das iniciativas em andamento que visam ampliar o acesso a medicamentos, para pessoas com HIV/AIDS

Yield of sputum induction in the diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis.

We prospectively evaluated the diagnostic yield of acid-fast bacilli smear and culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis using sputum induction (SI) in the workup of patients with suspected pleural tuberculosis (TB) who were unable to produce sputum spontaneously. Of the 113 patients studied, a final diagnosis of pleural TB was made in 84 patients (71 HIV seronegative) and a final diagnosis of another disease in 29 patients. Histopathologic examination of the pleural biopsy tissue had the highest diagnostic yield (78%; 66/84). The bacteriologic yield was 62% (52/84) for the pleural tissue, 12% (10/84) for pleural fluid, and 52% (44/84) for sputum cultures obtained by SI. The yield of SI culture for M. tuberculosis was 55% (35/64) in patients with a normal radiograph (except for the pleural effusion) and 45% (9/20) in those with evidence of parenchymal disease suggestive of pulmonary TB (p = 0.6). The yield of sputum cultures obtained by SI is high in patients suspected of having pleural TB even in those cases with no pulmonary parenchymal abnormalities on the chest radiograph.

Infección por VIH y tuberculosis en niños / HIV infection and tuberculosis in children

La información sobre el impacto conjunto del virus de inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) y la tuberculosis (TB) en niños es actualmente muy limitada. El presente estudio determinó la seroprevalencia de anticuerpos al VIH en una muestra consecutiva de 189 niños con TB activa, en edades de 18 meses hasta 5 años, en dos hospitales de Santo Domingo, República Dominicana. Once niños (5.8//, Intérvalos de Confianza al 95//[IC95//]:2.5//,9.2//) resultaron positivos al VIH. Al comparar los niños positivos al VIH con los negativos, los primeros fueron mayormente de raza negra, 8/11 (72.7//) (Diferencia = 48.6//, IC95//: 21.5//, 75.6//; p=0.0008), y entre las edades de 49-60 meses, 5/11 (45.5//) (Diferencia=37.1//, IC 95//:7.3//,66.7//; p=0.0005). No se encontraron diferencias estadísticas entre los niños positivos y negativos al VIH con relación a la historia de contacto con una persona con TB, a la cobertura de inmunización con BCG, a la sintomatología clínica, y al lugar anatómico de la TB. Sin embargo, los niños positivos al VIH reaccionaron en menor proporción a la prueba de tuberculina que los negativos al VIH (Diferencia= -51.5//, IC 95//: -75.3//, -27.7//; p=0.0009). Los resultados de este estudio muestran que la asociación VIH/TB en niños dominicanos no es de gravedad. La aplicación de medidas preventivas contra el VIH y el reforzamiento de los programas de control de ambas entidades deben ser prioridades, como una forma de contribuir a evitar un recrudecimiento del problema. VIH, tuberculosis