Lung function and quality of life one year after severe COVID-19 in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate symptoms, lung function, and quality of life of a cohort of patients hospitalized for severe COVID-19 12 months after hospital admission. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. We included severe COVID-19 survivors hospitalized in one of three tertiary referral hospitals for COVID-19 in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Participants were submitted to lung function and six-minute walk tests and completed the EQ-5D-3L questionnaire. RESULTS: The whole sample comprised 189 COVID-19 survivors (mean age = 59.6 ± 13.4 years) who had been admitted to a ward only (n = 96; 50.8%) or to an ICU (n = 93; 49.2%). At 12 months of follow-up, 43% of patients presented with dyspnea, 27% of whom had a restrictive ventilatory disorder and 18% of whom presented with impaired DLCO. There were no significant differences in FVC, FEV1, and TLC between the survivors with or without dyspnea. However, those who still had dyspnea had significantly more impaired DLCO (14.9% vs. 22.4%; p < 0.020) and poorer quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: After one year, survivors of severe COVID-19 in a middle-income country still present with high symptom burden, restrictive ventilatory changes, and loss of quality of life. Ongoing follow-up is needed to characterize long COVID-19 and identify strategies to mitigate its consequences.

Impact of bedside ultrasound to reduce the incidence of acute renal injury in high-risk surgical patients: a randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine whether performing bedside ultrasound impacts the occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in the immediate postoperative period (POP) of high-risk surgery patients. METHODS: POP patients were randomly assigned to two groups: (i) ultrasound (US) group, in which hemodynamic management was guided with clinical parameters supplemented with the bedside US findings; (ii) control group, hemodynamic management based solely on clinical parameters. Two exams were performed in the first 24 h of admission. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients were randomized to the US group and 60 to the control group. There was no significant difference for incidence of AKI in both groups assessed 12 h (31.4% vs 35.0%, P = 0.84), 24 h (27.5% vs 23.3%, P = 0.66), or 7 days (17.6 vs 8.3%, P = 0.16) after surgery. No difference was found in the amounts of volume administered over the first 12 h (1000 [500-2000] vs. 1000 [500-1500], P = 0.72) and 24 h (1000 [0-1500] vs. 1000 [0-1500], P = 0.95) between the groups. Patients without AKI in the control group received higher amounts of volume during the ICU stay. CONCLUSION: The use of bedside US in the immediate postoperative period of high-risk surgery did not show benefits in reducing AKI incidence.

Lung function six months after severe COVID-19: Does time, in fact, heal all wounds?

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has been associated with persistent symptoms and functional changes, especially in those surviving severe disease. METHODS: We conducted a prospective multicenter study in patients with severe COVID-19 to determine respiratory sequelae. Patients were stratified into two groups: ward admission (WA) and intensive care unit (ICU) admission. In each follow-up visit, the patients where inquired about cough and dyspnea, and performed spirometry, lung volumes, carbon monoxide diffusion capacity (DLCO), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and respiratory muscle strength (MIP and MEP). Results of pulmonary function tests at 45 days and 6 months after hospital admission were compared using paired analysis. RESULTS: 211 patients were included, 112 in WA and 99 in ICU. Dyspnea persisted in 64.7% in the WA and 66.7% in the ICU group after 6 months. Lung function measures showed significant improvement between 45 days and 6 months, both in WA and ICU groups in VC, FVC, FEV1, total lung capacity, and 6MW distance measures. The improvement in the proportions of the altered functional parameters was significant in the ICU group for VC (44.2% 45 d; 20.8% 6 m; p = 0,014), FVC (47.6% 45 d; 28% 6 m; p = 0,003), FEV1 (45.1% 45 d; 28% 6 m; p = 0,044), DLCO (33.8% 45 d; 7.7% 6 m; p < 0,0001). CONCLUSION: Six months follow-up of patients with the severe forms of COVID-19 showed significant improvement in the lung function measures compared to 45 days post hospital discharge. The difference was more evident in those requiring ICU admission.

Lung function six months after severe COVID-19: Does time, in fact, heal all wounds?

ABSTRACT Background: COVID-19 has been associated with persistent symptoms and functional changes, especially in those surviving severe disease. Methods: We conducted a prospective multicenter study in patients with severe COVID-19 to determine respiratory sequelae. Patients were stratified into two groups: ward admission (WA) and intensive care unit (ICU) admission. In each follow-up visit, the patients where inquired about cough and dyspnea, and performed spirometry, lung volumes, carbon monoxide diffusion capacity (DLCO), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and respiratory muscle strength (MIP and MEP). Results of pulmonary function tests at 45 days and 6 months after hospital admission were compared using paired analysis. Results: 211 patients were included, 112 in WA and 99 in ICU. Dyspnea persisted in 64.7% in the WA and 66.7% in the ICU group after 6 months. Lung function measures showed significant improvement between 45 days and 6 months, both in WA and ICU groups in VC, FVC, FEV1, total lung capacity, and 6MW distance measures. The improvement in the proportions of the altered functional parameters was significant in the ICU group for VC (44.2% 45 d; 20.8% 6 m; p = 0,014), FVC (47.6% 45 d; 28% 6 m; p = 0,003), FEV1 (45.1% 45 d; 28% 6 m; p = 0,044), DLCO (33.8% 45 d; 7.7% 6 m; p < 0,0001). Conclusion: Six months follow-up of patients with the severe forms of COVID-19 showed significant improvement in the lung function measures compared to 45 days post hospital discharge. The difference was more evident in those requiring ICU admission.

Lung function of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 at 45 days after hospital discharge: first report of a prospective multicenter study in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: Because SARS-CoV-2 infection can severely affect the lungs and persistent functional changes can occur after severe disease, we aimed to determine lung function parameters of COVID-19 patients at 45 days after hospital discharge and compare changes according to the severity of the disease. METHODS: This was a prospective descriptive analytical multicenter study. The participants were allocated into three groups: ward admission (WA) group; ICU admission not on mechanical ventilation (ICU/MV-) group; and ICU admission on MV (ICU/MV+) group. Lung volumes, DLco, MIP, MEP, and six-minute walk distance (6MWD) were measured 45 days after discharge. RESULTS: The sample comprised 242 patients (mean age = 59.4 ± 14.8 years; 52.1% of males), and 232 (96%) had altered lung function. In the total cohort, restrictive disorder was observed in 96%, as well as reductions in DLco (in 21.2% of the patients), FEV1/FVC (in 39.7%), and PEmax (in 95.8%), with no differences between the groups. Comparing the groups, the ICU/MV+ group had reduced DLco in 50% of the patients (p < 0.001) and a lower mean 6MWD % of the predicted value (p = 0.013). Oxygen desaturation in the six-minute walk test was observed in 32.3% of the cohort and was less frequent in the IE group. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first South American study involving severe COVID-19 survivors whose lung function was assessed 45 days after hospital discharge. Changes were frequent, especially in those on MV, which highlights the importance of lung function evaluation after severe COVID-19.

Hypertension is associated with a variant in the RARRES2 gene in populations of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Arterial hypertension (AH) is implicated in vascular health and contributes significantly to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In addition to the contribution of usual risk factors for AH, elucidating the influence of genetic factors is a promising area of investigation. Therefore, we evaluated the association between AH and cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) and genetic polymorphisms in communities in Southeast Brazil. METHODS: A total of 515 adults aged 18-91 years, who were cross-sectionally assessed between 2015-2016, were included. Demographic, clinical, behavioral, anthropometric characteristics, and laboratory parameters and 12 single nucleotide polymorphisms in seven candidate genes involved in cardiovascular risk (RARRES2, AGT, NOS3, GNB3, APOE, APOB, APOC3, LDLR, and PPARG) were evaluated, with AH as the outcome. Sex, age, and laboratory parameters were considered the main confounding factors. RESULTS: There was a significant association between age >60 years (odds ratio [OR] =6.74), alcohol dependence (OR=3.84), smoking (OR=1.74), overweight (OR=1.74), high plasma triglyceride (TG) levels (OR=1.98) and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL-c) (OR=6.22), diabetes (OR=3.68), and insulin resistance (OR=2.40) and AH. A significant association was observed between rs4721 in RARRES2 and AH. The T allele in homozygosis was a potent chance modifier for AH. The highest chance gradients for AH were characterized by the presence of the TT genotype and DMT2 (OR=9.70), high TG (OR=6.26), low HDL-c (OR=8.20), and age more than 60 years (OR=9.96). CONCLUSION: The interaction of the T allele of the rs4721 polymorphism in RARRES2 with CVRFs may predispose carriers to a higher cardiovascular risk.

Lung Ultrasound Can Predict the Clinical Course and Severity of COVID-19 Disease.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) compromises the lung in large numbers of people. The development of minimally invasive methods to determine the severity of pulmonary extension is desired. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of sequential lung ultrasound and to test the prognostic usefulness of this exam in a group of patients admitted to the hospital with COVID-19. We prospectively evaluated patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection admitted to our hospital between April and August 2020. Bedside lung ultrasound exams were performed at three time points: at inclusion in the study, after 48 h and on the seventh day of follow-up. Lung ultrasound scores were quantified according to the aeration loss in each of eight zones scanned. Sixty-six participants were included: 42 (63.6%) in the intensive care unit and 24 (36.3%) in the ward. Lung ultrasound scores were higher in participants admitted to the intensive care unit than in those admitted to the ward at the time of inclusion (16 [13-17] vs. 10 [4-14], p < 0.001), after 48 h (15.5 [13-17] vs. 12.5 [8.2-14.7], p = 0.001) and on the seventh day (16 [14-17] vs. 7 [4.5-13.7], p < 0.001) respectively. Lung ultrasound score measured at the time of inclusion in the study was independently associated with the need for admission to the intensive care unit (odds ratio = 1.480; 95% confidence interval, 1.093-2.004; p = 0.011) adjusted by the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score.

Lung ultrasound is useful in oncohematologic patients with respiratory dysfunction admitted to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU): a pilot study.

AIMS: This pilot study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of a sequential lung ultrasound score (LUS) in immunosuppressed patients with oncohematologic diseases and acute respiratory dysfunction hospitalized in an intensive care unit (ICU). MATERIALS AND METHODS: LUS was calculated at ICU admission, after 24 h, 48 h and at discharge. A score ranging from 0 to 26 was attributed according to the number of B lines, presence of lung consolidation and pleural effusion. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients were included. The median age was 50 years [interquartile range (IQR) 21] and 14 (54%) were male. LUS on the day of ICU admission was significantly higher in non-survivors compared to survivors (13 [5] vs 9 [9], respectively; p=0.047). The median delta LUS (LUS_D2 - LUS_D1) did not show difference between survivors and non-survivors (2 [0-7.5] vs 1 [-1.5 - 5], p=0.33). Among patients initially submitted to noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV), no difference in LUS at inclusion or after 24 h was found between those who succeeded or failed on this support. CONCLUSION: The use of LUS to quantify lung aeration loss in oncohematologic patients hospitalized in an ICU due to acute respiratory dysfunction might be a helpful tool to predict the severity of the illness.

Ultrasound evaluation of schistosomiasis-related morbidity among the Xakriabá people in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To use ultrasound to investigate the morbidity related to schistosomiasis in the Xakriabá indigenous population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a field-based census study conducted in the territory of the Xakriabá people. A total of 166 individuals were invited, and 148 (≤ 77 years of age) agreed to participate. Most participants underwent abdominal ultrasound, physical examination, and stool examination. Mann-Whitney U and chi-square tests were used for comparisons. We determined risk by calculating odds ratio (OR) and performed logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Schistosoma mansoni eggs were found in 31 (26.7%) of the 116 stool samples examined, 22 (70.9%) of the 31 being from individuals 4-16 years of age. The median count was 144 eggs/g of feces (interquartile range, 264). Of the 105 participants examined with ultrasound, 68 (64.8%) had hepatomegaly (left lobe), 6 (5.7%) had splenomegaly, and 4 (3.8%) had portal hypertension. Egg-positive stool samples were more common in those with an enlarged left lobe (OR = 3.4; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1-11.2; p = 0.043). Periportal fibrosis was found in 30 participants (28.6%), of whom 9 (30%) had pattern C, 10 (33.3%) had pattern D, and 11 (36.7%) had pattern Dc. Age was the only independent risk factor for fibrosis (p = 0.007). Fibrosis was up to nine-fold more common in alcohol drinkers than in nondrinkers (OR = 9.28; 95% CI: 2.60-33.06; p < 0.001). Among the 138 participants in whom the clinical form was classified, the chronic hepatic form was identified in 54 (39.1%), of whom 32 (59.2%) were under 30 years of age and one (1.8%) was hepatosplenic. CONCLUSION: Schistosomiasis in the Xakriabá population is characterized by a high frequency of egg-positive stool samples, predominantly in children/adolescents, and by chronic hepatic form in the young, especially among alcohol drinkers.

Ultrasound evaluation of schistosomiasis-related morbidity among the Xakriabá people in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil / Avaliação ultrassonográfica da morbidade por esquistossomose mansoni na população indígena Xakriabá, Minas Gerais, Brasil

Abstract Objective: To use ultrasound to investigate the morbidity related to schistosomiasis in the Xakriabá indigenous population. Materials and Methods: This was a field-based census study conducted in the territory of the Xakriabá people. A total of 166 individuals were invited, and 148 (≤ 77 years of age) agreed to participate. Most participants underwent abdominal ultrasound, physical examination, and stool examination. Mann-Whitney U and chi-square tests were used for comparisons. We determined risk by calculating odds ratio (OR) and performed logistic regression analysis. Results: Schistosoma mansoni eggs were found in 31 (26.7%) of the 116 stool samples examined, 22 (70.9%) of the 31 being from individuals 4-16 years of age. The median count was 144 eggs/g of feces (interquartile range, 264). Of the 105 participants examined with ultrasound, 68 (64.8%) had hepatomegaly (left lobe), 6 (5.7%) had splenomegaly, and 4 (3.8%) had portal hypertension. Egg-positive stool samples were more common in those with an enlarged left lobe (OR = 3.4; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1-11.2; p = 0.043). Periportal fibrosis was found in 30 participants (28.6%), of whom 9 (30%) had pattern C, 10 (33.3%) had pattern D, and 11 (36.7%) had pattern Dc. Age was the only independent risk factor for fibrosis (p = 0.007). Fibrosis was up to nine-fold more common in alcohol drinkers than in nondrinkers (OR = 9.28; 95% CI: 2.60-33.06; p < 0.001). Among the 138 participants in whom the clinical form was classified, the chronic hepatic form was identified in 54 (39.1%), of whom 32 (59.2%) were under 30 years of age and one (1.8%) was hepatosplenic. Conclusion: Schistosomiasis in the Xakriabá population is characterized by a high frequency of egg-positive stool samples, predominantly in children/adolescents, and by chronic hepatic form in the young, especially among alcohol drinkers.

Resumo Objetivo: Investigar a morbidade por esquistossomose na população indígena Xakriabá usando a ultrassonografia. Materiais e Métodos: Estudo de campo censitário realizado na terra da população indígena Xakriabá (166 convidados; 148 participantes; idade de 0-77). Foram feitos ultrassonografia abdominal, exame físico e coproscopia (EPF). Os testes Mann-Whitney U e qui-quadrado foram usados para comparações. Foram realizadas análise de risco (odds ratio - OR) e regressão logística. Resultados: De 116 índios com resultado de EPF, 31 (26,7%) tiveram ovos de Schistosoma; 22/31 (70,9%) tinham idade entre 4-16 anos. A carga parasitaria mediana foi 144 ovos/g (intervalo interquartílico: 264). De 105 examinados por ultrassom, 68 (64,8%) tiveram lobo hepático esquerdo aumentado, 6 (5,7%) tiveram esplenomegalia e 4 (3,8%) tiveram hipertensão portal. EPF+ foi mais frequente nos indivíduos com lobo esquerdo aumentado (OR: 3,4; intervalo de confiança (IC) 95%: 1,1-11,2; p = 0,043). Fibrose periportal ocorreu em 30/105 (28,6%) examinados, e desses 30, 9 (30%) apresentavam padrão C, 10 (33,3%) apresentavam padrão D e 11 (36,7%) apresentavam padrão Dc. A idade foi o único fator de risco independente para fibrose (p = 0,007). A fibrose ocorreu até nove vezes mais em usuários de álcool que em não usuários (OR: 9,28; IC 95%: 2,60-33,06; p < 0,001). Formas crônicas ocorreram em 54/138 (39,1%) participantes, sendo 32 dos 54 (64,8%) em menores de 30 anos; um (1,8%) era hepatoesplênico. Conclusão: A esquistossomose na população Xakriabá caracteriza-se por alta positividade, predomínio em crianças e presença de formas hepáticas crônicas em jovens, especialmente entre usuários de álcool.

Factors associated with non-use of condoms and prevalence of HIV, viral hepatitis B and C and syphilis: a cross-sectional study in rural communities in Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 2014-2016. / Fatores associados ao não uso de preservativo e prevalência de HIV, hepatites virais B e C e sífilis: estudo transversal em comunidades rurais de Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, entre 2014 e 2016.

OBJECTIVE: to investigate socio-demographic factors associated with non-use of condoms, and to describe the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in rural communities of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 2014 to 2016. METHODS: data were gathered from individual interviews and rapid tests were performed; associations were tested using Poisson regression, with a 95% confidence interval (95%CI). RESULTS: we detected 3.8 cases/10,000 inhabitants for hepatitis B and syphilis, and 1.3 cases/10,000 inhabitants for hepatitis C; no HIV cases were detected; in the multivariate analysis we found higher prevalence rates of condom non-use among the group of individuals who were married, had common law partners or were widowed (PR=1.20 - 95%CI 1.06;1.36). CONCLUSION: individuals in a stable relationship formed the group with the highest prevalence rate of condom non-use; new syphilis and viral hepatitis cases were detected using rapid tests during the survey.

Fatores associados ao não uso de preservativo e prevalência de HIV, hepatites virais B e C e sífilis: estudo transversal em comunidades rurais de Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, entre 2014 e 2016 / Factores asociados al hábito de no uso del preservativo y prevalencia del VIH, hepatitis virales B y C y sífilis: estudio transversal en comunidades rurales de Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brasil, 2014-2016 / Factors associated with non-use of condoms and prevalence of HIV, viral hepatitis B and C and syphilis: a cross-sectional study in rural communities in Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 2014-2016

Objetivo: analisar os fatores sociodemográficos relacionados ao não uso do preservativo nas relações sexuais e a prevalência de infecções sexualmente transmissíveis (IST) em comunidades rurais de Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brasil, entre 2014 e 2016. Métodos: foram coletados dados de entrevista individual e realizados testes rápidos; as associações foram testadas pelo modelo de regressão de Poisson, com intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC95%). Resultados: foram detectados 3,8 casos/10 mil habitantes de hepatite B e sífilis, e 1,3/10 mil hab. de hepatite C; não foram detectados casos de HIV; na análise multivariada, foram encontradas maiores prevalências de não uso de preservativos entre indivíduos casados/em união estável/viúvos (RP=1,20 - IC95% 1,06;1,36). Conclusão: o grupo com maior prevalência de não uso de preservativo é o de pessoas com relacionamento fixo; novos casos de sífilis e de hepatites virais foram detectados pelo teste rápido, aplicado no inquérito.

Objetivo: investigar el perfil sociodemográfico asociado al no uso del preservativo en las relaciones sexuales y describir la prevalencia de infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS) en comunidades rurales de Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brasil, entre 2014 y 2016. Métodos: se recolectaron datos en entrevista individual y se realizaron pruebas rápidas; las asociaciones fueron analizadas por la regresión de Poisson, con intervalo de confianza de 95% (IC95%). Resultados: se detectaron 3,8 casos/10 mil habitantes de hepatitis B y sífilis, y 1,3/10 mil habitantes de hepatitis C; no se detectaron casos de VIH; el análisis multivariado mostró mayor prevalencia de no uso del preservativo para personas casadas /en unión estable/viudos (RP=1,20 - IC95% 1,06;1,36). Conclusión: se detectaron nuevos casos de sífilis y hepatitis virales por las pruebas rápidas en esta investigación; el grupo de mayor riesgo de no usar preservativo fue de personas casadas/con relación fija.

Objective: to investigate socio-demographic factors associated with non-use of condoms, and to describe the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in rural communities of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 2014 to 2016. Methods: data were gathered from individual interviews and rapid tests were performed; associations were tested using Poisson regression, with a 95% confidence interval (95%CI). Results: we detected 3.8 cases/10,000 inhabitants for hepatitis B and syphilis, and 1.3 cases/10,000 inhabitants for hepatitis C; no HIV cases were detected; in the multivariate analysis we found higher prevalence rates of condom non-use among the group of individuals who were married, had common law partners or were widowed (PR=1.20 - 95%CI 1.06;1.36). Conclusion: individuals in a stable relationship formed the group with the highest prevalence rate of condom non-use; new syphilis and viral hepatitis cases were detected using rapid tests during the survey.

Morbidity of schistosomiasis mansoni in a low endemic setting in Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Despite the advances of disease control programs, severe forms of schistosomiasis are prevalent. The prevalence of the disease in areas frequented by tourists urges for permanent prevention and control. The aim of this study was to describe the morbidity of schistosomiasis in the district of Antônio Pereira, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil. METHODS: The proportion of positives was defined by Kato-Katz coproscopy and urinary POC-CCA rapid test. Hepatosplenic form was diagnosed using abdominal ultrasound. RESULTS: Out of 180 participants,97 were examined by Kato-Katz, with 4 (4.1%) being positive. Thirty-four (22.1%) out of 154 were positive by POC-CCA. Five (2.8%) of 177 examined by ultrasound had hepatosplenic form. One of them had undergone splenectomy. One (0.6%)participant had myeloradiculopathy. CONCLUSIONS: Severe forms of schistosomiasis are still prevalent in low endemic areas and should be thoroughly investigated.

Morbidity of schistosomiasis mansoni in a low endemic setting in Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the advances of disease control programs, severe forms of schistosomiasis are prevalent. The prevalence of the disease in areas frequented by tourists urges for permanent prevention and control. The aim of this study was to describe the morbidity of schistosomiasis in the district of Antônio Pereira, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil. METHODS: The proportion of positives was defined by Kato-Katz coproscopy and urinary POC-CCA rapid test. Hepatosplenic form was diagnosed using abdominal ultrasound. RESULTS: Out of 180 participants,97 were examined by Kato-Katz, with 4 (4.1%) being positive. Thirty-four (22.1%) out of 154 were positive by POC-CCA. Five (2.8%) of 177 examined by ultrasound had hepatosplenic form. One of them had undergone splenectomy. One (0.6%)participant had myeloradiculopathy. CONCLUSIONS: Severe forms of schistosomiasis are still prevalent in low endemic areas and should be thoroughly investigated.

Treatment of Chagas cardiomyopathy.

Chagas' disease (ChD), caused by the protozoa Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), was discovered and described by the Brazilian physician Carlos Chagas in 1909. After a century of original description, trypanosomiasis still brings much misery to humanity and is classified as a neglected tropical disease prevalent in underdeveloped countries, particularly in South America. It is an increasing worldwide problem due to the number of cases in endemic areas and the migration of infected subjects to more developed regions, mainly North America and Europe. Despite its importance, chronic chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) pathophysiology is yet poorly understood, and independently of its social, clinical, and epidemiological importance, the therapeutic approach of CCC is still transposed from the knowledge acquired from other cardiomyopathies. Therefore, the objective of this review is to describe the treatment of Chagas cardiomyopathy with emphasis on its peculiarities.

A comparative study of the TF-Test®, Kato-Katz, Hoffman-Pons-Janer, Willis and Baermann-Moraes coprologic methods for the detection of human parasitosis.

This study compares the diagnostic accuracy of the TF-Test(®) (TFT) for human parasitosis with results obtained using the traditional Kato-Katz (KK), Hoffman-Pons-Janer (HPJ), Willis and Baermann-Moraes (BM) techniques. Overall, four stool samples were taken from each individual; three alternate-day TFT stool samples and another sample that was collected in a universal container. Stool samples were taken from 331 inhabitants of the community of Quilombola Santa Cruz. The gold standard (GS) for protozoa detection was defined as the combined results for TFT, HPJ and Willis coproscopic techniques; for helminth detection, GS was defined as the combined results for all five coproscopic techniques (TFT, KK, HPJ, Willis and BM). The positivity rate of each method was compared using the McNemar test. While the TFT exhibited similar positivity rates to the GS for Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (82.4%) and Giardia duodenalis (90%), HPJ and Willis techniques exhibited significantly lower positivity rates for these protozoa. All tests exhibited significantly lower positivity rates compared with GS for the diagnosis of helminths. The KK technique had the highest positivity rate for diagnosing Schistosoma mansoni (74.6%), while the TFT had the highest positivity rates for Ascaris lumbricoides (58.1%) and hookworm (75%); HPJ technique had the highest positivity rate for Strongyloides stercoralis (50%). Although a combination of tests is the most accurate method for the diagnosis of enteral parasites, the TFT reliably estimates the prevalence of protozoa and selected helminths, such as A. lumbricoides and hookworm. Further studies are needed to evaluate the detection accuracy of the TFT in samples with varying numbers of parasites.

A comparative study of the TF-Test®, Kato-Katz, Hoffman-Pons-Janer, Willis and Baermann-Moraes coprologic methods for the detection of human parasitosis

This study compares the diagnostic accuracy of the TF-Test® (TFT) for human parasitosis with results obtained using the traditional Kato-Katz (KK), Hoffman-Pons-Janer (HPJ), Willis and Baermann-Moraes (BM) techniques. Overall, four stool samples were taken from each individual; three alternate-day TFT stool samples and another sample that was collected in a universal container. Stool samples were taken from 331 inhabitants of the community of Quilombola Santa Cruz. The gold standard (GS) for protozoa detection was defined as the combined results for TFT, HPJ and Willis coproscopic techniques; for helminth detection, GS was defined as the combined results for all five coproscopic techniques (TFT, KK, HPJ, Willis and BM). The positivity rate of each method was compared using the McNemar test. While the TFT exhibited similar positivity rates to the GS for Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (82.4 percent) and Giardia duodenalis (90 percent), HPJ and Willis techniques exhibited significantly lower positivity rates for these protozoa. All tests exhibited significantly lower positivity rates compared with GS for the diagnosis of helminths. The KK technique had the highest positivity rate for diagnosing Schistosoma mansoni (74.6 percent), while the TFT had the highest positivity rates for Ascaris lumbricoides (58.1 percent) and hookworm (75 percent); HPJ technique had the highest positivity rate for Strongyloides stercoralis (50 percent). Although a combination of tests is the most accurate method for the diagnosis of enteral parasites, the TFT reliably estimates the prevalence of protozoa and selected helminths, such as A. lumbricoides and hookworm. Further studies are needed to evaluate the detection accuracy of the TFT in samples with varying numbers of parasites.

Serum hyaluronan and collagen IV as non-invasive markers of liver fibrosis in patients from an endemic area for schistosomiasis mansoni: a field-based study in Brazil.

Non-invasive markers of fibrosis have been used to diagnose liver fibrosis in a variety of diseases. Hyaluronic acid (HA) and collagen IV (C-IV) levels were measured in the sera of patients from an endemic area for schistosomiasis in Brazil to diagnose and to rank the intensity of liver fibrosis. Seventy-nine adult patients with schistosomiasis, in the age range of 21-82 years (49 +/- 13.4) were submitted to clinical and ultrasonographic examinations. Ultrasound was employed to diagnose and categorise liver fibrosis according to World Health Organization patterns. Serum HA and C-IV levels were measured using commercial ELISA kits. Ultrasound revealed six patients with intense liver fibrosis, 21 with moderate, 23 with light and 29 without. Serum HA was able to separate individuals with fibrosis from those without (p < 0.001) and light from intense fibrosis (p = 0.029), but C-IV was not (p = 0.692). The HA diagnostic accuracy for fibrosis was 0.89. The 115.4 ng/mL cut-off level diagnosed patients with fibrosis (sensitivity 0.98, specificity 0.64). HA correlated positively with portal hypertension. Periportal fibrosis (subjective evaluation), age and collateral circulation predicted HA increase. In conclusion, we propose that serum HA can be used to identify patients with liver fibrosis in an endemic area for schistosomiasis mansoni in Brazil.

Serum hyaluronan and collagen IV as non-invasive markers of liver fibrosis in patients from an endemic area for schistosomiasis mansoni: a field-based study in Brazil

Non-invasive markers of fibrosis have been used to diagnose liver fibrosis in a variety of diseases. Hyaluronic acid (HA) and collagen IV (C-IV) levels were measured in the sera of patients from an endemic area for schistosomiasis in Brazil to diagnose and to rank the intensity of liver fibrosis. Seventy-nine adult patients with schistosomiasis, in the age range of 21-82 years (49 ± 13.4) were submitted to clinical and ultrasonographic examinations. Ultrasound was employed to diagnose and categorise liver fibrosis according to World Health Organization patterns. Serum HA and C-IV levels were measured using commercial ELISA kits. Ultrasound revealed six patients with intense liver fibrosis, 21 with moderate, 23 with light and 29 without. Serum HA was able to separate individuals with fibrosis from those without (p < 0.001) and light from intense fibrosis (p = 0.029), but C-IV was not (p = 0.692). The HA diagnostic accuracy for fibrosis was 0.89. The 115.4 ng/mL cut-off level diagnosed patients with fibrosis (sensitivity 0.98, specificity 0.64). HA correlated positively with portal hypertension. Periportal fibrosis (subjective evaluation), age and collateral circulation predicted HA increase. In conclusion, we propose that serum HA can be used to identify patients with liver fibrosis in an endemic area for schistosomiasis mansoni in Brazil.