Melatonin effects on oxidative stress and on TLR4/NF-kß inflammatory pathway in the right ventricle of rats with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterised by an increase in mean pulmonary arterial pressure and a compromised the right ventricle (RV), together with progression to heart failure and premature death. Studies have evaluated the role of melatonin as a promising therapeutic strategy for PAH. The objective of this study was to evaluate melatonin's effects on oxidative stress and on the TLR4/NF-kß inflammatory pathway in the RV of rats with PAH. Male Wistar rats were divided into the following groups: control, monocrotaline (MCT), and monocrotaline plus melatonin groups. These two last groups received one intraperitoneal injection of MCT (60 mg/kg) on the first day of experimental protocol. The monocrotaline plus melatonin group received 10 mg/kg/day of melatonin by gavage for 21 days. Echocardiographic analysis was performed, and the RV was collected for morphometric analysis oxidative stress and molecular evaluations. The main findings of the present study were that melatonin administration attenuated the reduction in RV function that was induced by monocrotaline, as assessed by TAPSE. In addition, melatonin prevented RV diastolic area reduction caused by PAH. Furthermore, animals treated with melatonin did not show an increase in ROS levels or in NF-kß expression. In addition, the monocrotaline plus melatonin group showed a reduction in TLR4 expression when compared with control and monocrotaline groups. To our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating a positive effect of melatonin on the TLR4/NF-kß pathway in the RV of rats with PAH. In this sense, this study makes it possible to think of melatonin as a possible ally in mitigating RV alterations caused by PAH.

Melatonin improves nitric oxide bioavailability in isoproterenol induced myocardial injury.

Isoproterenol administration is associated with cardiac inflammation and decreased NO availability. Melatonin has been reported to have cardioprotective effect. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of melatonin on NO bioavailability and inflammation in myocardial injury induced by isoproterenol. Isoproterenol was administrated in male Wistar rats for 7 days to induce cardiac injury. The animals were divided into 3 groups: Control, Isoproterenol, Isoproterenol + Melatonin. Animals received melatonin for 7 days. Echocardiographic analysis was performed and the hearts were collected for molecular analysis. Animals that received isoproterenol demonstrated a reduction in left ventricle systolic and diastolic diameter, indicating the presence of concentric hypertrophy. Melatonin was able to attenuate this alteration. Melatonin also improved NO bioavailability and decreased NF-κß, TNFα and IL-1ß expression. In conclusion, melatonin exhibited a cardioprotective effect which was associated with improving NO bioavailability and decreasing the pro-inflammatory proteins.

Impact Of The COVID-19 Pandemic on Hospital Admissions and In-Hospital Lethality From Cardiovascular Diseases in Brazil: An Ecological and Time Series Study.

Since the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Brazil, several government policies have been taken. Herein, we aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hospital admissions and in-hospital lethality for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in Brazil in 2020. An ecological and time-series study on hospitalizations and deaths from CVD in Brazil was conducted from January 2018 to December 2020.The hospital admission rate for CVD reduced by 17.1%, with a significant decreasing trend between January and May 2020 (Annual Percent Change: -8,7%; P-value < 0.001). The in-hospital lethality rate increased from 8.2% in 2018 to 9.3% in 2020. During this period, Brazil totaled 21.8 million days of hospital stay. Indicators of hospital admissions and lethality from CVD in Brazil were impacted by the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in different ways in the regions and depending on the nature of the indicator.

Hipertireoidismo secundário à carcinoma de tireoide em um cão: relato de caso / Hyperthyroidism secondary to thyroid carcinoma in a dog: case report

Hipertireoidismo é uma doença causada pela disfunção do eixo hipotálamo-hipófise-tireoide, na qual há um aumento na produção e secreção de T3 (triiodotironina) e T4 (tiroxina). É comum em gatos de meia idade a idosos, mas raro em cães, nos quais normalmente são causados por iatrogenia ou neoplasias da tireoide. O presente trabalho relata um caso de hipertireoidismo em um cão da raça golden retriever, secundário a um carcinoma folicular-compacto de tireoide. A enfermidade causa alterações em diversos sistemas, portanto é importante que o diagnóstico precoce seja firmado para o sucesso do tratamento e a avaliação do tamanho, da invasividade tumoral, da presença de metástases, bem como, das condições clínicas do paciente que são essenciais para a escolha da terapêutica.(AU)

Hyperthyroidism is a disease caused by the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis dysfunction, in which there is an increased production and secretion of T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine). It is common in middle aged to old cats but is rare in dogs, in which are usually a result of iatrogenic cause or thyroid neoplasia. The present paper reports a case of hyperthyroidism in a golden retriever dog secondary to a thyroid follicular-compact carcinoma. The disease causes changes in several systems, so to achieve the treatment's success it must be performed an early diagnoses. The analyzis of the tumor size and invasion, presence of metastasis and the patient's clinical conditions are essential to the settlement of the therapeutic choice.(AU)

The relation between atopic dermatitis and depressive symptoms / A relação entre dermatite atópica e sintomas depressivos

Introdução: O quadro da dermatite atópica (DA) é caracterizado por prurido crônico de evolução flutuante, que pode resultar em distúrbios no padrão de sono e em estigmatização social devido à presença de lesões visíveis e recidivantes, as quais tendem a se tornar progressivamente liquenificadas. Fatores como os já citados e outros associados, como incapacidade laboral, falta de concentração ao longo do dia e isolamento apresentam-se como profundos impactantes para a saúde mental do paciente, podendo resultar em baixa autoestima, depressão e frustração. Além disso, sabe-se que a DA é uma doença essencialmente inflamatória, ao mesmo tempo em que estudos recentes demonstram papel de citocinas no desenvolvimento de síndromes depressivas, podendo haver correlação causal entre os quadros por vias inflamatórias. Objetivos: Essa revisão sistemática de literatura objetivou analisar a relação entre dermatite atópica e sintomas depressivos, identificando possíveis mecanismos responsáveis por essa ligação. Métodos: A busca foi feita entre 17/11/2020 e 18/11/2020 seguindo o modelo PRISMA e utilizando as bases PUBMED, Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS) - IBECS, LILACS e CUMED - e EMBASE. As palavras-chave "Depression" e "Atopic Eczema", em conjunto com seus termos MeSh e DECS, foram utilizadas e associadas através do método booleano. Critérios para inclusão foram definidos como artigos que são ensaios clínicos ou observacionais envolvendo grupo de pacientes com dermatite atópica e grupo controle, que pôde ser constituído pelo próprio grupo com dermatite atópica, porém, após intervenção. Os sintomas depressivos precisavam ser medidos por escalas ou terem critérios para diagnóstico de síndrome depressiva estabelecidos. A seleção foi feita por todos os autores de forma independente, sendo discordâncias solucionadas por consenso. Resultados: Ao final, quinze estudos restaram, os quais foram classificados entre aqueles que comparam tratamentos e seus desfechos relacionados à depressão e DA, aqueles que propõem DA como agravante de sintomas depressivos, aqueles que propõem sintomas depressivos como agravantes da DA e aqueles que trazem análises estatísticas sem estabelecer claramente onde reside a relação de causalidade entre os dois quadros. Conclusões: Diversos estudos mostraram a existência de relação entre o quadro de DA e sintomas depressivos em vias distintas, tanto analisando a DA como agravante de sintomas depressivos como vice-versa. A partir dessa perspectiva, é possível que haja uma causalidade bidirecional cíclica, na qual um constante feedback positivo gera piora de ambos os quadros até que a abordagem adequada seja tomada, evidenciando a importância da propedêutica multidisciplinar para esses pacientes (AU)

Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is characterized by chronic itching, presenting with fluctuating evolution, resulting in sleep disorders and social stigmatization due to the presence of visible and recurrent lesions, that might become progressively lichenified. Factors such as those mentioned and others associated, such as incapacity for work, lack of concentration throughout the day and isolation have profound impacts on the patient's mental health, resulting in low self-esteem, depression and frustration. In addition, it is known that AD is essentially an inflammatory disease. And, recent studies demonstrate the role of inflammatory cytokines in the development of depressive syndromes, therefore may be a causal correlation between the conditions by inflammatory pathways. Objectives: This systematic literature review aimed to analyze a relationship between atopic dermatitis and depressive symptoms, identifying mechanisms responsible for this connection. Methods: The research was carried out between 11/17/2020 and 11/18/2020 following the PRISMA model and using PUBMED, Virtual Health Library (VHL) - IBECS, LILACS and CUMED - and EMBASE databases. Keywords "Depression" and "Atopic Eczema", along with its MeSh and DECS terms, were used and associated using the Boolean method. Inclusion criteria were defined as articles that are clinical or observational trials involving a group of patients with atopic dermatitis and a control group, which could be constituted by the group with atopic dermatitis itself, however, after an intervention. The depressive symptoms had to be measured by scales or, at least, the criteria for diagnosis of depressed syndrome must have been established. Results:In the end, fifteen studies remained, which were classified among those that compare treatments and their outcomes related to depression and AD, those that propose AD as an aggravator of depressive symptoms, those that propose depressive symptoms as an aggravating factor for AD and those that bring statistical analysis without clearly establishing where the causality relation resides. Conclusion: Several studies have presented a relationship between the condition of AD and depressive symptoms in distinct pathways, or analyzing AD as an aggravating factor for depressive symptoms or vice-versa. From this perspective, there may be a cyclical bidirectional causality, in which constant positive feedback generates worsening of both conditions until the adequate approach is taken, highlighting the importance of the multidisciplinary propaedeutics for these patients (AU)

A relação entre dermatite atópica e sintomas depressivos / The relation between atopic dermatitis and depressive symptoms

RESUMO: Introdução: O quadro da dermatite atópica (DA) é caracterizado por prurido crônico de evolução flutuante, que pode resultar em distúrbios no padrão de sono e em estigmatização social devido à presença de lesões visíveis e recidivantes, as quais tendem a se tornar progressivamente liquenificadas. Fatores como os já citados e outros associados, como incapacidade laboral, falta de concentração ao longo do dia e isolamento apresentam-se como profundos impactantes para a saúde mental do paciente, podendo resultar em baixa autoestima, depressão e frustração. Além disso, sabe-se que a DA é uma doença essencialmente inflamatória, ao mesmo tempo em que estudos recentes demonstram papel de citocinas no desenvolvimento de síndromes depressivas, podendo haver correlação causal entre os quadros por vias inflamatórias. Objetivos: Essa revisão sistemática de literatura objetivou analisar a relação entre dermatite atópica e sintomas depressivos, identificando possíveis mecanismos responsáveis por essa ligação. Métodos: A busca foi feita entre 17/11/2020 e 18/11/2020 seguindo o modelo PRISMA e utilizando as bases PUBMED, Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS) - IBECS, LILACS e CUMED - e EMBASE. As palavras-chave "Depression" e "Atopic Eczema", em conjunto com seus termos MeSh e DECS, foram utilizadas e associadas através do método booleano. Critérios para inclusão foram definidos como artigos que são ensaios clínicos ou observacionais envolvendo grupo de pacientes com dermatite atópica e grupo controle, que pôde ser constituído pelo próprio grupo com dermatite atópica, porém, após intervenção. Os sintomas depressivos precisavam ser medidos por escalas ou terem critérios para diagnóstico de síndrome depressiva estabelecidos. A seleção foi feita por todos os autores de forma independente, sendo discordâncias solucionadas por consenso. Resultados: Ao final, quinze estudos restaram, os quais foram classificados entre aqueles que comparam tratamentos e seus desfechos relacionados à depressão e DA, aqueles que propõem DA como agravante de sintomas depressivos, aqueles que propõem sintomas depressivos como agravantes da DA e aqueles que trazem análises estatísticas sem estabelecer claramente onde reside a relação de causalidade entre os dois quadros. Conclusões: Diversos estudos mostraram a existência de relação entre o quadro de DA e sintomas depressivos em vias distintas, tanto analisando a DA como agravante de sintomas depressivos como vice-versa. A partir dessa perspectiva, é possível que haja uma causalidade bidirecional cíclica, na qual um constante feedback positivo gera piora de ambos os quadros até que a abordagem adequada seja tomada, evidenciando a importância da propedêutica multidisciplinar para esses pacientes.(AU)

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is characterized by chronic itching, presenting with fluctuating evolution, resulting in sleep disorders and social stigmatization due to the presence of visible and recurrent lesions, that might become progressively lichenified. Factors such as those mentioned and others associated, such as incapacity for work, lack of concentration throughout the day and isolation have profound impacts on the patient's mental health, resulting in low self-esteem, depression and frustration. In addition, it is known that AD is essentially an inflammatory disease. And, recent studies demonstrate the role of inflammatory cytokines in the development of depressive syndromes, therefore may be a causal correlation between the conditions by inflammatory pathways. Objectives: This systematic literature review aimed to analyze a relationship between atopic dermatitis and depressive symptoms, identifying mechanisms responsible for this connection. Methods: The research was carried out between 11/17/2020 and 11/18/2020 following the PRISMA model and using PUBMED, Virtual Health Library (VHL) - IBECS, LILACS and CUMED - and EMBASE databases. Keywords "Depression" and "Atopic Eczema", along with its MeSh and DECS terms, were used and associated using the Boolean method. Inclusion criteria were defined as articles that are clinical or observational trials involving a group of patients with atopic dermatitis and a control group, which could be constituted by the group with atopic dermatitis itself, however, after an intervention. The depressive symptoms had to be measured by scales or, at least, the criteria for diagnosis of depressed syndrome must have been established. Results:In the end, fifteen studies remained, which were classified among those that compare treatments and their outcomes related to depression and AD, those that propose AD as an aggravator of depressive symptoms, those that propose depressive symptoms as an aggravating factor for AD and those that bring statistical analysis without clearly establishing where the causality relation resides. Conclusion: Several studies have presented a relationship between the condition of AD and depressive symptoms in distinct pathways, or analyzing AD as an aggravating factor for depressive symptoms or vice-versa. From this perspective, there may be a cyclical bidirectional causality, in which constant positive feedback generates worsening of both conditions until the adequate approach is taken, highlighting the importance of the multidisciplinary propaedeutics for these patients. (AU)

Cardioprotective doses of thyroid hormones improve NO bioavailability in erythrocytes and increase HIF-1α expression in the heart of infarcted rats.

CONTEXT: Infarction leads to a decrease in NO bioavailability in the erythrocytes. Thyroid hormones (TH) present positive effects after infarction. However, there are no studies evaluating the effects of cardioprotective doses of TH in the erythrocytes after infarction. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of TH in NO bioavailability and oxidative stress parameters in the erythrocytes of infarcted rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Wistar rats were allocated into the three groups: Sham-operated (SHAM), infarcted (AMI) and infarcted + TH (AMIT). AMIT rats received T4 and T3 for 12 days by gavage. Subsequently, the animals were evaluated by echocardiography and the LV and erythrocytes were collected. RESULTS: TH improved NO bioavailability and increased catalase activity in the erythrocytes. Besides that, TH increased HIF-1α in the heart. CONCLUSION: TH seems to be positive for erythrocytes preventing a decrease in NO bioavailability and increasing antioxidant enzymatic defense after infarction.

Histoid leprosy presenting as a large tumor

Abstract Histoid leprosy is a rare form of multibacillary leprosy, characterized by the presence of papules, plaques, or nodules whose appearance is keloid-like, skin colored, or erythematous. Fusiform cells are the main histopathological feature. Due to the fact that it can simulate other dermatological lesions, for example, dermatofibroma and neurofibroma, it constitutes a diagnostic challenge for clinicians and pathologists. It is a bacilliferous form of leprosy, and it plays an important role in disease transmission. A case of a patient with histoid leprosy living in the Northeast Region of Brazil is reported.

Prevalence of Systemic Arterial Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus in Individuals with COVID-19: A Retrospective Study of Deaths in Pernambuco, Brazil. / Prevalência de Hipertensão Arterial Sistêmica e Diabetes Mellitus em Indivíduos com COVID-19: Um Estudo Retrospectivo de Óbitos em Pernambuco, Brasil.

Hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS) e diabetes mellitus (DM) são dois dos principais fatores de risco para a mortalidade por COVID-19. Descrever a prevalência e o perfil clínico-epidemiológico de óbito por COVID-19 ocorridos em Pernambuco, Brasil, entre 12 de março e 14 de maio de 2020 entre pacientes que possuíam hipertensão arterial sistêmica e/ou diabetes mellitus como doenças prévias. Estudo observacional transversal. Foram analisadas as seguintes variáveis: município de procedência, sexo, faixa etária, tempo entre o início dos sinais/sintomas e o óbito, sinais/sintomas, tipo de comorbidades e hábitos de vida. Variáveis categóricas foram descritas por meio de frequências e variáveis contínuas por meio de medidas de tendência central e de dispersão. Os testes de Mann-Whitney e Kruskal-Wallis foram utilizados. Dos 1.276 registros incluídos no estudo, 410 apresentavam HAS e/ou DM. A prevalência de HAS foi 26,5% (n=338) e de DM foi 19,7% (n=252). Dos registros, 158 (12,4%) eram de pacientes que possuíam somente HAS, 72 (5,6%) somente DM e 180 (14,1%) apresentavam HAS e DM. Dos indivíduos com HAS, 53,3% apresentavam DM e 71,4% dos diabéticos apresentam HAS. A mediana (em dias) do tempo entre o início dos sinais/sintomas e o desfecho óbito foi 8,0 (IIQ 9,0), sem diferença significativa entre os grupos de comorbidades (p=0,633), sexo (p=0,364) e faixa etária (p=0,111). Observou-se maior prevalência de DM e HAS na população masculina (DM ­ 61,3% eram homens e 38,9% mulheres; HAS ­ 53,2% eram homens e 46,8% mulheres). Os sinais/sintomas mais frequentes foram dispneia (74,1%; n=304), tosse (72,2%; n=296), febre (68,5%; n=281) e saturação de O2<95% (66,1%; n=271). Dos hipertensos, 73,3% (n=100) apresentavam outras comorbidades/fatores de risco associados, e 54,2% (n=39) dos diabéticos apresentavam outras comorbidades/fatores de risco associados. Destacaramse as cardiopatias (19,5%; n=80), obesidade (8,3%; n=34), doença respiratória prévia (7,3%; n=30) e nefropatia (7,8%; n=32). A prevalência de tabagismo foi 8,8% (n=36) e de etilismo alcançou 3,4% (n=14). O estudo mostrou que a prevalência de HAS foi superior à prevalência de DM nos indivíduos que foram a óbito por COVID-19. Em idosos, a prevalência foi superior à observada em indivíduos não idosos.

Histoid leprosy presenting as a large tumor.

Histoid leprosy is a rare form of multibacillary leprosy, characterized by the presence of papules, plaques, or nodules whose appearance is keloid-like, skin colored, or erythematous. Fusiform cells are the main histopathological feature. Due to the fact that it can simulate other dermatological lesions, for example, dermatofibroma and neurofibroma, it constitutes a diagnostic challenge for clinicians and pathologists. It is a bacilliferous form of leprosy, and it plays an important role in disease transmission. A case of a patient with histoid leprosy living in the Northeast Region of Brazil is reported.

Prevalência de hipertensão arterial sistêmica e diabetes mellitus em indivíduos com covid-19: um estudo retrospectivo de óbitos em pernambuco, brasil / Prevalence of systemic arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus in individuals with covid-19: a retrospective study of deaths in pernambuco, brazil

Resumo Hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS) e diabetes mellitus (DM) são dois dos principais fatores de risco para a mortalidade por COVID-19. Descrever a prevalência e o perfil clínico-epidemiológico de óbito por COVID-19 ocorridos em Pernambuco, Brasil, entre 12 de março e 14 de maio de 2020 entre pacientes que possuíam hipertensão arterial sistêmica e/ou diabetes mellitus como doenças prévias. Estudo observacional transversal. Foram analisadas as seguintes variáveis: município de procedência, sexo, faixa etária, tempo entre o início dos sinais/sintomas e o óbito, sinais/sintomas, tipo de comorbidades e hábitos de vida. Variáveis categóricas foram descritas por meio de frequências e variáveis contínuas por meio de medidas de tendência central e de dispersão. Os testes de Mann-Whitney e Kruskal-Wallis foram utilizados. Dos 1.276 registros incluídos no estudo, 410 apresentavam HAS e/ou DM. A prevalência de HAS foi 26,5% (n=338) e de DM foi 19,7% (n=252). Dos registros, 158 (12,4%) eram de pacientes que possuíam somente HAS, 72 (5,6%) somente DM e 180 (14,1%) apresentavam HAS e DM. Dos indivíduos com HAS, 53,3% apresentavam DM e 71,4% dos diabéticos apresentam HAS. A mediana (em dias) do tempo entre o início dos sinais/sintomas e o desfecho óbito foi 8,0 (IIQ 9,0), sem diferença significativa entre os grupos de comorbidades (p=0,633), sexo (p=0,364) e faixa etária (p=0,111). Observou-se maior prevalência de DM e HAS na população masculina (DM — 61,3% eram homens e 38,9% mulheres; HAS — 53,2% eram homens e 46,8% mulheres). Os sinais/sintomas mais frequentes foram dispneia (74,1%; n=304), tosse (72,2%; n=296), febre (68,5%; n=281) e saturação de O2<95% (66,1%; n=271). Dos hipertensos, 73,3% (n=100) apresentavam outras comorbidades/fatores de risco associados, e 54,2% (n=39) dos diabéticos apresentavam outras comorbidades/fatores de risco associados. Destacaramse as cardiopatias (19,5%; n=80), obesidade (8,3%; n=34), doença respiratória prévia (7,3%; n=30) e nefropatia (7,8%; n=32). A prevalência de tabagismo foi 8,8% (n=36) e de etilismo alcançou 3,4% (n=14). O estudo mostrou que a prevalência de HAS foi superior à prevalência de DM nos indivíduos que foram a óbito por COVID-19. Em idosos, a prevalência foi superior à observada em indivíduos não idosos.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnosis of new leprosy cases in Northeastern Brazil, 2020.

This study analyzed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the detection of new cases of leprosy in the state of Bahia, Brazil. The periods January-September 2019 and January-September 2020 were compared. There was a 44.40% reduction in the diagnosis of leprosy when comparing the two periods (1,705 in 2019 and 948 in 2020). There was a reduction in the number of municipalities with reported cases: 251 municipalities in 2019 and 202 in 2020, expressing a reduction of 24.25%. Considering only the months following the arrival of the virus (April-September), the reduction was 51.10%. An inverse correlation was observed between the number of new cases of leprosy and the cumulative number of cases of COVID-19 (Spearman's correlation coefficient = -0.840; P < 0.001) and the number of new monthly cases of COVID-19 (Spearman's correlation coefficient = -0.817; P < 0.001). A slight increase was also observed in the proportion of multibacillary cases in the state (70.38% in 2019 and 72.69% in 2020) as well as in the proportion of individuals with the degree of physical disability not assessed at diagnosis, whose proportion rose from 16.39% in 2019 to 22.53% in 2020. The negative impact of COVID-19 in tackling leprosy should be seen as a warning sign for health and political authorities.

Pure neural leprosy or amyloid neuropathy? Systematic review and clinical case report.

OBJECTIVE: To review the literature and to report a clinical case with initial suspicion of pure neural leprosy and final diagnosis of amyloid neuropathy. METHODS: The study was conducted in two stages. In stage one, a systematic literature review was carried out, with searches performed in the PubMed, Medline, and Lilacs databases, as well as in the leprosy sectoral library of the Virtual Health Library, using the following descriptors: neuritic leprosy, pure neural leprosy, primary neural leprosy, pure neuritic leprosy, amyloid polyneuropathy, amyloid neuropathies, and amyloid polyneuropathy. The search was carried out on May 28, 2020. Clinical trials, cohort studies, cross-sectional studies, clinical cases, and case studies published in Portuguese, English or Spanish between 2010 and 2020 were included. Stage two reports a case with initial suspicion of pure neural leprosy. Laboratory tests, electroneuromyography, ultrasound, and biopsy of the sural nerve were requested. RESULTS: Twenty-three scientific texts were included. No publications were found that contained both topics together. The challenging diagnosis of pure neural leprosy and the possibility of using auxiliary resources in diagnosis were the most emphasized themes in the studies. In the clinical case, the patient's electroneuromyography showed sensitive and motor polyneuropathy of the lower limbs, which was predominantly sensory and axonal, symmetrical, of moderate intensity, and the mixed type (axonal-demyelinating). Ultrasonography of the sural nerve revealed changes in the contour of the deep fibular nerves; biopsy of the sural nerve showed an accumulation of amorphous eosinophilic material in the nerve path, and Congo red stain showed apple-green birefringence of the deposit under polarized light. The final diagnosis was amyloid neuropathy. CONCLUSIONS: The final clinical diagnosis was amyloid neuropathy. The diagnosis of pure neural leprosy in endemic areas in Brasil is still a challenge for the health system.

Epidemiological, neurofunctional profile and prevalence of factors associated with the occurrence of physical disabilities due to leprosy in a reference center in Northeast Brasil: a sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiological and neurofunctional profile, as well as the prevalence of factors associated with the occurrence of physical disabilities due to leprosy in a reference center in Northeast Brasil. METHODS: A cross-sectional study including 50 leprosy patients diagnosed in Juazeiro-Bahia. Variables analyzed: sex, age, history of leprosy in the family, time to diagnosis, clinical form, operational classification, degree of disability, eyes-hand-foot score, peripheral nerve function, muscle strength and sensitivity. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (χ² test or Fisher's exact, Poisson regression with robust estimation and prevalence reason were used. Significance of 5%). RESULTS: An equal distribution was found between men and women of economically active age and low education; multibacillary forms in men (64%) and paucibacillary forms in women (60%). 78% of individuals had some degree of disability and 64% had a compromised ulnar nerve. Plantar sensitivity was decreased in 66% of patients. The predictors of disability were: age ≥45 years (PR 1.44; p=0.005), no education (PR 1.21; p=0.013) and OMP score ≥6 (PR 1.29; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The findings show the importance of monitoring neural functions and developing measures that allow early diagnosis, the opportune method and the prevention of disabilities, especially in the male population.

Epidemiological, neurofunctional profile and prevalence of factors associated with the occurrence of physical disabilities due to leprosy in a reference center in Northeast Brasil: a sectional study

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiological and neurofunctional profile, as well as the prevalence of factors associated with the occurrence of physical disabilities due to leprosy in a reference center in Northeast Brasil. METHODS: A cross-sectional study including 50 leprosy patients diagnosed in Juazeiro-Bahia. Variables analyzed: sex, age, history of leprosy in the family, time to diagnosis, clinical form, operational classification, degree of disability, eyes-hand-foot score, peripheral nerve function, muscle strength and sensitivity. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (χ² test or Fisher's exact, Poisson regression with robust estimation and prevalence reason were used. Significance of 5%). RESULTS: An equal distribution was found between men and women of economically active age and low education; multibacillary forms in men (64%) and paucibacillary forms in women (60%). 78% of individuals had some degree of disability and 64% had a compromised ulnar nerve. Plantar sensitivity was decreased in 66% of patients. The predictors of disability were: age ≥45 years (PR 1.44; p=0.005), no education (PR 1.21; p=0.013) and OMP score ≥6 (PR 1.29; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The findings show the importance of monitoring neural functions and developing measures that allow early diagnosis, the opportune method and the prevention of disabilities, especially in the male population.

Pure neural leprosy or amyloid neuropathy? Systematic review and clinical case report

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: To review the literature and to report a clinical case with initial suspicion of pure neural leprosy and final diagnosis of amyloid neuropathy. METHODS: The study was conducted in two stages. In stage one, a systematic literature review was carried out, with searches performed in the PubMed, Medline, and Lilacs databases, as well as in the leprosy sectoral library of the Virtual Health Library, using the following descriptors: neuritic leprosy, pure neural leprosy, primary neural leprosy, pure neuritic leprosy, amyloid polyneuropathy, amyloid neuropathies, and amyloid polyneuropathy. The search was carried out on May 28, 2020. Clinical trials, cohort studies, cross-sectional studies, clinical cases, and case studies published in Portuguese, English or Spanish between 2010 and 2020 were included. Stage two reports a case with initial suspicion of pure neural leprosy. Laboratory tests, electroneuromyography, ultrasound, and biopsy of the sural nerve were requested. RESULTS: Twenty-three scientific texts were included. No publications were found that contained both topics together. The challenging diagnosis of pure neural leprosy and the possibility of using auxiliary resources in diagnosis were the most emphasized themes in the studies. In the clinical case, the patient's electroneuromyography showed sensitive and motor polyneuropathy of the lower limbs, which was predominantly sensory and axonal, symmetrical, of moderate intensity, and the mixed type (axonal-demyelinating). Ultrasonography of the sural nerve revealed changes in the contour of the deep fibular nerves; biopsy of the sural nerve showed an accumulation of amorphous eosinophilic material in the nerve path, and Congo red stain showed apple-green birefringence of the deposit under polarized light. The final diagnosis was amyloid neuropathy. CONCLUSIONS: The final clinical diagnosis was amyloid neuropathy. The diagnosis of pure neural leprosy in endemic areas in Brasil is still a challenge for the health system.