Pre-travel malaria chemoprophylaxis counselling in a public travel medicine clinic in São Paulo, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Malaria is one of the most prevalent parasitic diseases in the world and represents a threat to travellers visiting endemic areas. Chemoprophylaxis is the prevention measure used in travel medicine, avoiding clinical manifestations and protecting against the development of severe disease and death. METHODS: Retrospective and descriptive analysis of malaria prevention data in travellers was recorded from a travel medicine clinic in São Paulo, Brazil, between January 2006 and December 2010. All the medical records of travellers, who had travelled to areas with risk of disease transmission, including Brazil, were analysed. Demographic characteristics of travellers, travel details and recommendations for preventing malaria were also seen. RESULTS: During the study period, 2836 pre-travel consultations were carried out on 2744 individuals (92 were consulted twice). The most common reasons for travelling were tourism and work. The most common destinations were Africa (24.5%), Europe (21.2%), Asia (16.6%) and locations within Brazil (14.9%). In general prophylaxis against malaria was recommended in 10.3% of all the consultations. African destinations vs Asian, Brazilian and other destinations and length of stay ≤30 days were independently associated with the higher odds of chemoprophylaxis recommendation after the logistic regression. CONCLUSION: The prophylaxis against malaria was recommended in 10.3% of the consultations. The authors believe that a coherent measure of malaria prevention in Brazil and for international travellers would be to recommend for all parts of the North Brazil, avoidance of mosquito bites and immediate consultation of a physician in case of fever during or after the journey is recommended.

[First Travel Medicine Center in a public hospital from Buenos Aires Province, Argentina Republic: The first 2 years of experience]. / Primer Centro de Medicina del Viajero en un hospital público de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, República Argentina: Dos años de experiencia.

INTRODUCTION: Although Buenos Aires is the biggest province in Argentina, there was no program for Travel Medicine in any public hospital until 2008, when the Travel Medicine Center (CEMEVI) was established in our hospital. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the first 24 months of experience in the CEMEVI. RESULTS: A total of 278 travelers were assisted. Most of them consulted before traveling (pre-travel visits). The most common destinations were countries in South America and urban as well as rural areas. Travelling to malaria and yellow fever endemic countries represented 35% and 16% of the total of destinations, respectively. Only 4% were post-travel interviews. CONCLUSION: It is feasible and fruitful to implement a Travel Medicine Center in the public health system.

Outbreak of pulmonary histoplasmosis involving a group of four Polish travellers returning from Ecuador.

Exploring caves is, without doubt, a very exciting adventure; however, it carries some dangers. Three of four travellers were admitted to hospital with lung changes after returning from Ecuador, successively. Epidemiological studies revealed that the travellers visited caves infested by bats, and had contact with bats' guano. They gave a history of fever, fatigue, myalgia, dry cough, and chest pain during the stay or just after returning from Ecuador. In two patients, symptoms persisted in mild nature. Chest X-ray films showed diffuse nodules (coin-like lesions) in the lungs in each case. Histoplasmosis was taken into consideration. Differential diagnosis included paragonimiasis, pulmonary tuberculosis, and pulmonary infection of other causes. Direct examination of sputum was negative. Cultures were negative. Final diagnosis was made on epidemiological histories, as well as typical radiological changes, and was supported by positive tests for antibodies to Histoplasma capsulatum. Immunodiffusion test (ID), complement fixation test (CFTs), and Western blot test were positive. In two cases antifungal treatment was established. Ketoconazole followed by Itraconazole were used. Persons who are going to explore caves should be equipped with anti-dusk masks to prevent pulmonary histoplasmosis. The threat of Histoplasma capsulatum infection in bat-inhabited caves should be emphasized to travellers and also to physicians.

Primer Centro de Medicina del Viajero en un hospital público de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, República Argentina: Dos años de experiencia / First Travel Medicine Center in a public hospital from Buenos Aires Province, Argentina Republic: The first 2 years of experience

Introduction: Although Buenos Aires is the biggest province in Argentina, there was no program for Travel Medicine in any public hospital until 2008, when the Travel Medicine Center (CEMEVI) was established in our hospital. Objective: To analyze the first 24 months of experience in the CEMEVI. Results: A total of 278 travelers were assisted. Most of them consulted before traveling (pre-travel visits). The most common destinations were countries in South America and urban as well as rural areas. Travelling to malaria and yellow fever endemic countries represented 35% and 16% of the total of destinations, respectively. Only 4% were post-travel interviews. Conclusion: It is feasible and frutful to implement a Travel Medicine Center in the public health system.

Introducción: La Provincia de Buenos Aires, a pesar de ser la mayor de nuestro país, no contaba con ningún sitio de asesoramiento al viajero instalado en un hospital público, hasta que en el año 2008 se crea el Centro de Medicina del Viajero (CEMEVI) en nuestro hospital. Objetivo: analizar de manera retrospectiva los primeros 24 meses de experiencia en el CEMEVI. Resultados: Recibimos un total de 278 consultas, la mayoría durante el pre-viaje, a países de América del Sur, a sitios urbanos- rurales, de los cuales 35 y 16% de los viajeros visitaron zonas de riesgo para malaria y fiebre amarilla, respectivamente. Sólo 4% de las consultas fueron en el post-viaje. Conclusión: Es posible y fructífero implementar un Centro de Medicina del Viajero en el sector público de salud.

[Tourism and health: methodological approaches and courses of action]. / Relações entre turismo e saúde: abordagens metodológicas e propostas de ação.

OBJECTIVE: To identify relationships between tourism and health as well as the methods employed in studies about this topic. METHODS: The PubMed and SciELO databases were searched in March of 2008 using the following strategy: traveler or traveller or tourism or tourist AND risk or hazard or vulnerability AND health or surveillance. The following were excluded: articles on animal health, conceptual and review articles, articles about non-tourist travel, and articles written in languages other than Portuguese, English, Italian, and Spanish. Of 153 articles identified, 112 were excluded, and 41 articles were examined. RESULTS: The number of articles on tourism and health increased from one in the 1970s to 34 in the 2000s. Most studies were carried out in Europe, followed by the Americas, and most covered insect-borne diseases, respiratory diseases transmitted from person to person, and gastrointestinal diseases. Mail, telephone, or face-to-face questionnaires were generally used for data collection. In terms of location, 21 studies were performed at the place of departure, 17 at the destination, and in 3 this information was not specified. Four studies were carried out before the trip, 9 during the trip, 24 after the trip, and 3 did not specify this information. Most studies focus on the tourist as a likely victim of health problems, unprepared to face situations of exposure during the trip. CONCLUSIONS: The need to implement health care policies aimed at the tourist population is evident, with emphasis on infectious diseases and emergency actions to detect outbreaks involving tourists. A tourist-specific surveillance and notification system is also necessary, together with measures to prepare health care institutions to meet the individual demands of this population.

Relações entre turismo e saúde: abordagens metodológicas e propostas de ação / Tourism and health: methodological approaches and courses of action

OBJETIVO: Identificar as relações entre turismo e saúde e as metodologias empregadas em estudos publicados sobre esse tema. MÉTODO: Realizou-se uma busca nas bases PubMed e SciELO em março de 2008 utilizando a seguinte estratégia: traveler or traveller or tourism or tourist AND risk or hazard or vulnerability AND health or surveillance. Foram excluídos os artigos sobre saúde animal, artigos conceituais e de revisão, artigos sobre viajantes que não turistas, artigos escritos em idiomas diferentes de português, inglês, italiano e espanhol. Dos 153 artigos localizados, 112 foram eliminados e 41 foram examinados. RESULTADOS: O número de artigos sobre o tema cresceu de um artigo na década de 1970 para 34 na década de 2000. A maior parte dos estudos foi realizada na Europa, seguida das Américas, e abordou doenças transmitidas por insetos, doenças transmitidas entre pessoas por via respiratória e doenças gastrointestinais. Foi predominante a utilização de questionários para a coleta de dados, aplicados pessoalmente, por telefone ou por carta. Quanto ao local da pesquisa, 21 estudos foram realizados no local de origem da viagem, 17 no destino e 3 não informaram. Quatro estudos foram realizados antes da viagem, 9 durante a viagem, 24 após a viagem, e 3 não informaram. A maioria dos estudos abordou o turista como vítima preferencial de problemas de saúde, despreparado para enfrentar situações de vulnerabilidade durante a viagem. CONCLUSÕES: É clara a necessidade de implantar políticas de saúde voltadas para o turista, com ênfase em doenças infecciosas e ações emergenciais para detectar surtos envolvendo turistas. Também é necessário um sistema de vigilância e notificação específico para turistas, e maior preparo das instituições de saúde para atender demandas individuais dessa população.

OBJECTIVE: To identify relationships between tourism and health as well as the methods employed in studies about this topic. METHODS: The PubMed and SciELO databases were searched in March of 2008 using the following strategy: traveler or traveller or tourism or tourist AND risk or hazard or vulnerability AND health or surveillance. The following were excluded: articles on animal health, conceptual and review articles, articles about non-tourist travel, and articles written in languages other than Portuguese, English, Italian, and Spanish. Of 153 articles identified, 112 were excluded, and 41 articles were examined. RESULTS: The number of articles on tourism and health increased from one in the 1970s to 34 in the 2000s. Most studies were carried out in Europe, followed by the Americas, and most covered insect-borne diseases, respiratory diseases transmitted from person to person, and gastrointestinal diseases. Mail, telephone, or face-to-face questionnaires were generally used for data collection. In terms of location, 21 studies were performed at the place of departure, 17 at the destination, and in 3 this information was not specified. Four studies were carried out before the trip, 9 during the trip, 24 after the trip, and 3 did not specify this information. Most studies focus on the tourist as a likely victim of health problems, unprepared to face situations of exposure during the trip. CONCLUSIONS: The need to implement health care policies aimed at the tourist population is evident, with emphasis on infectious diseases and emergency actions to detect outbreaks involving tourists. A tourist-specific surveillance and notification system is also necessary, together with measures to prepare health care institutions to meet the individual demands of this population.