Molecular analysis of the prevalence of Acinetobacter baumannii in hospitals and the surrounding environments: a cross-sectional study

Acinetobacter baumannii is widely recognized in clinical environments due to its infectious capacity, antimicrobial adaptability, and lethality. Analyzing the prevalence of this agent in intra- and extra-hospital environments may reveal target indicators for appropriate management interventions. In this observational cross-sectional study, we evaluated the prevalence of A. baumannii within hospitals with intensive care units and in their external surroundings in a macro-health region of Brazil. Samples of Columba livia (pigeon) droppings from the external environment of four hospitals (n = 40), from floor surfaces (n = 20), and door handles (n = 20) of different hospital wards were collected based on random sampling, all of which were evaluated for the presence of A. baumannii using polymerase chain reactions (PCR). The sensitivity and specificity of the technique was verified after the collected samples were contaminated with clinical samples positive for A. baumannii. We detected a significantly higher A. baumannii prevalence (87.50%, CI = 71.29­100.00) in samples collected within the hospital environment compared with those obtained from the external environment (12.50%, CI = 0.00­28. 71) (p = 0.003). In addition, samples collected from floor surfaces contained bacterial densities (181.3 ± 11.58) that exceeded those in environmental (93.32 ± 1.56) and door handle (142.70 ± 17.14) samples by 94% and 78.71%, respectively. The findings of this study will enhance our understanding of the spatial distribution of A. baumannii and additionally, validate the efficiency of PCR for diagnosis of this infectious agent.

Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium isolated from pigeon droppings (Columba livia) in the external environment close to hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Domestic pigeons carry pathogens in their droppings, posing a potential public health problem. METHODS: The phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial resistances of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium in the feces of urban pigeons near hospitals with intensive care units were measured. RESULTS: Twenty-nine samples showed Enterococcus growth, whereas one was positive for S. aureus. The S. aureus isolate was sensitive to the antibiotics tested via antibiogram, however resistance genes were identified. E. faecium isolates showed phenotypic resistance to gentamicin, erythromycin, and ciprofloxacin. CONCLUSIONS: Antimicrobial profiles harmful to health were demonstrated in bacterial pathogens isolated from the external environment of hospitals.

Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium isolated from pigeon droppings (Columba livia) in the external environment close to hospitals

ABSTRACT Background: Domestic pigeons carry pathogens in their droppings, posing a potential public health problem. Methods: The phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial resistances of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium in the feces of urban pigeons near hospitals with intensive care units were measured. Results: Twenty-nine samples showed Enterococcus growth, whereas one was positive for S. aureus. The S. aureus isolate was sensitive to the antibiotics tested via antibiogram, however resistance genes were identified. E. faecium isolates showed phenotypic resistance to gentamicin, erythromycin, and ciprofloxacin. Conclusions: Antimicrobial profiles harmful to health were demonstrated in bacterial pathogens isolated from the external environment of hospitals.

Metabolomic Evaluation of Chronic Periodontal Disease in Older Adults.

Periodontal disease is an infectious inflammatory disease related to the destruction of supporting tissues of the teeth, leading to a functional loss of the teeth. Inflammatory molecules present in the exudate are catalyzed and form different metabolites that can be identified and quantified. Thus, we evaluated the inflammatory exudate present in crevicular fluid to identify metabolic biological markers for diagnosing chronic periodontal disease in older adults. Research participants were selected from long-term institutions in Brazil. Participants were individuals aged 65 years or older, healthy, or with chronic periodontal disease. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry was used to evaluate potential biomarkers in 120 crevicular fluid samples. We identified 969 metabolites in the individuals. Of these, 15 metabolites showed a variable importance with projection score > 1 and were associated with periodontal disease. Further analysis showed that among the 15 metabolites, two (5-aminovaleric acid and serine, 3TMS derivative) were found at higher concentrations in the crevicular fluid, indicating their potential diagnostic power for periodontal disease in older adults. Our findings indicated that some metabolites are present at high concentrations in the crevicular fluid in older adults with periodontal disease and can be used as biomarkers of periodontal disease.

Leprosy morbidity and mortality in Brazil: 2008-2018.

INTRODUCTION: Leprosy is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. This study aimed to understand the distribution and impact of Hansen's disease in different regions of Brazil and the outcome of cases in recent years. METHODOLOGY: An ecological study was conducted throughout the Brazilian territory for 11 years (2008-2018). The mortality rates, new cases of the disease, and proportion of physical disability and cure were assessed. Data were obtained using DATASUS. GraphPad Excel and "Prisma" programs were used for tabulation and data processing. To present an accurate perspective from all regions, the data were normalized according to the population. RESULTS: Overall, the results demonstrated a significant reduction in the number of leprosy cases in Brazil over the last decade (p < 0.05). North and Midwest regions showed higher mortality rates standardized by age (p < 0.05). The largest number of cases were found in Tocantins and Mato Grosso, inner states of Brazil (p < 0.05). The cure rates in the Southeast and South regions were negatively correlated with the mortality rate in these regions (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Actions to control the spread and unfavorable outcomes of leprosy have been effective in the last decade in most Brazilian states. On the other hand, the states of Tocantins and Mato Grosso, in the North and Midwest regions of Brazil, need to intensify the fight against the disease. Notwithstanding, measures against leprosy should continue and be intensified in regions with greater aggravations, aiming at an effective homogeneous control of the disease.

Suicídios na pré-adolescência, adolescência e em adultos jovens: comparação da capital Goiânia com o município de Mineiros / Suicides in pre-adolescence, adolescence and young adults: comparison between Goiânia and Mineiros / Suicidios en la preadolescencia, adolescencia y adultos jóvenes: comparación de la capital Goiânia con el municipio de Mineiros

O suicídio é um ato que interroga a relação de sentido com a existência, assunto geralmente evitado pela sociedade. Considerando o aumento do suicídio entre indivíduos jovens bem como as altas prevalências na região Centro-Oeste do país, neste estudo, objetivou-se relacionar os índices de suicídios da capital Goiânia a uma cidade do interior da região Centro-Oeste (Mineiros-GO), nos períodos da pré-adolescência, adolescência e em adultos jovens. Para isso, foi consultada base de dados do Ministério da Saúde, em um período de 10 anos (2006 a 2015). Fatores como sexo e causa da morte foram considerados. Os dados analisados, quantitativamente, permitiram apontar um número maior de suicídios entre os adultos jovens, em relação ao período da pré-adolescência e adolescência, o que pode ser relacionado com algumas características desses momentos contíguos da vida dos sujeitos e de seus contextos locais. Os dados também indicaram que o município de Mineiros apresentou índices maiores em comparação com a capital se relacionado ao número de mortes por enforcamento. Contudo, os dados permitem fortalecer de que as políticas públicas se fazem precisas e urgentes para atendimento desse público, não somente em grandes centros urbanos, mas também em municípios de pequeno e médio porte do interior dos estados brasileiros.

Suicide is an act that questions the relationship of meaning to existence, a subject usually associated with the individual avoiding social interactions. Considering the increase in suicide among young individuals as well as the high prevalence in the central-western region of the country, this study compared the suicide rates of the capital Goiânia to a city in the countryside of the Central-west region (Mineiros-Goiás), between periods of pre-adolescence, adolescence and in young adults. For this, a database of the Ministry of Health was consulted for a 10-year period (2006 to 2015). Factors such as gender and cause of death were considered. The data analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively showed an increasing number of suicides among young adults compared to pre-adolescence and adolescence, which may be related to some characteristics of these contiguous moments of the subjects' lives and their local contexts. The data also showed that the municipality of Mineiros presented higher indices compared to the capital regarding the number of deaths by hanging. However, the data reinforces that public policies are needed and urgent to serve this public not only in large urban centers, but also in small and medium-sized municipalities in the countryside of Brazilian states.

El suicidio es un acto que interroga la relación de sentido con la existencia, asunto evitado generalmente por la sociedad. Considerando el aumento de la tasa de suicidio entre individuos jóvenes y las altas prevalencias en la región Centro-oeste de Brasil, el presente estudio objetivó comparar las tasas de suicidios de la capital Goiânia con una ciudad del interior de la región Centro-oeste (Mineros, Goiás), entre períodos de preadolescencia, adolescencia y en adultos jóvenes. Para ello, se consultó la base de datos del Ministerio de la Salud en un período de 10 años (de 2006 a 2015). Se consideraron factores como el sexo y la causa de la muerte. Los datos analizados cuantitativamente permitieron señalar un número creciente de suicidios entre los adultos jóvenes en relación al período de la preadolescencia y la adolescencia, lo que puede relacionarse con algunas características de esos momentos contiguos de la vida de los sujetos y de sus contextos locales. Los datos también señalaron que el municipio de Mineiros presentó tasas más altas en comparación a la capital si se relaciona al número de muertes por ahorcamiento. Sin embargo, los datos permiten fortalecer que las políticas públicas son necesarias y urgentes para atender a este público no solo en grandes centros urbanos, sino también en municipios pequeños y medianos en el interior de los estados brasileños.