Detection of Trypanosoma cruzi DTUs TcI and TcIV in two outbreaks of orally-transmitted Chagas disease in the Northern region of Brazil.

This study describes the laboratory investigation of two acute Chagas disease outbreaks that occurred in the riverside communities of Marimarituba and Cachoeira do Arua, in the Santarem municipality, Para State, located in the Northern region of Brazil, and occurred in March 2016 and August 2017, respectively. The generation of data regarding the diversity of Trypanosoma cruzi parasites circulating in the Amazon region is key for understanding the emergence and expansion of Chagas disease. This study aimed to identify T. cruzi Discrete Typing Units (DTUs) involved in two outbreaks of acute Chagas disease (ACD) directly from the patient's biological sample. Nested and multiplex PCR targeting the 24Sα (rRNA) and mini-exon genes, respectively, were used to identify T. cruzi DTU in blood samples from patients diagnosed with ACD. The samples with positive cPCR were submitted for analysis for T. cruzi DTUs, which included 13 samples from the patients with ACD by oral transmission and two samples collected from two newborns of two women with ACD, from Marimarituba and Cachoeira do Arua. The samples were classified as T. cruzi TcIV, from Marimarituba's outbreak, and T. cruzi TcI, from Cachoeira do Arua's outbreak. The molecular identification of T. cruzi may increase understanding of the role of this parasite in Chagas disease's emergence within the Amazon region, contributing to the improvement of the management of this important, but also neglected, disease.

Detection of Trypanosoma cruzi DTUs TcI and TcIV in two outbreaks of orally-transmitted Chagas disease in the Northern region of Brazil

ABSTRACT This study describes the laboratory investigation of two acute Chagas disease outbreaks that occurred in the riverside communities of Marimarituba and Cachoeira do Arua, in the Santarem municipality, Para State, located in the Northern region of Brazil, and occurred in March 2016 and August 2017, respectively. The generation of data regarding the diversity of Trypanosoma cruzi parasites circulating in the Amazon region is key for understanding the emergence and expansion of Chagas disease. This study aimed to identify T. cruzi Discrete Typing Units (DTUs) involved in two outbreaks of acute Chagas disease (ACD) directly from the patient's biological sample. Nested and multiplex PCR targeting the 24Sα (rRNA) and mini-exon genes, respectively, were used to identify T. cruzi DTU in blood samples from patients diagnosed with ACD. The samples with positive cPCR were submitted for analysis for T. cruzi DTUs, which included 13 samples from the patients with ACD by oral transmission and two samples collected from two newborns of two women with ACD, from Marimarituba and Cachoeira do Arua. The samples were classified as T. cruzi TcIV, from Marimarituba's outbreak, and T. cruzi TcI, from Cachoeira do Arua's outbreak. The molecular identification of T. cruzi may increase understanding of the role of this parasite in Chagas disease's emergence within the Amazon region, contributing to the improvement of the management of this important, but also neglected, disease.

Avaliação do perfil bioquímico, hematológico e imunológico em pacientes com diagnóstico recente para HIV de um Centro de Referência em Santarém, Pará, Brasil / Evaluation of the biochemical, hematological and immunological profile in patients with a recent diagnosis of HIV in Santarém Reference Center, Pará, Brazil

Introdução: Alterações hematológicas, bioquímicas e imunológicas podem estar presentes no paciente infectado pelo HIV, no momento do diagnóstico, antes ou depois de iniciar com os antirretrovirais. Objetivo: Analisar o perfil bioquímico, hematológico e imunológico de pacientes com diagnóstico recente para HIV. Método: O estudo avaliou 321 prontuários de pacientes recém diagnosticados com a infecção pelo HIV. A coleta de dados envolveu informações sociodemográficas (data de nascimento, idade, sexo, escolaridade, estado civil, vínculo empregatício e procedência), clínicas (data do diagnóstico para a infecção pelo HIV, situação de imunodeficiência e tipo de exposição), bioquímicas (glicose, triglicerídeos, colesterol total e frações), hematológicas (hemoglobina e plaqueta) e imunológicas (linfócitos T CD4+ e carga viral). Os dados foram analisados por estatística descritiva e inferencial, adotando-se p<0,05. Resultados: Notou-se predominância do sexo masculino (67%), faixa etária de 18-27 anos (39,9%), solteiros (58,6%) e com 32% dos pacientes apresentando Aids. Das variáveis analisadas, o sexo masculino apresentou, em relação às mulheres, maior quantidade de hemoglobina e menores valores para contagem de linfócitos T CD4+, glicose e colesterol total (p<0,05). Além disso, ressalta-se que 69% da amostra apresentou alguma alteração lipídica, 96% tinha carga viral detectável e 29% apresentou linfócitos T CD4+ <200 cel/mm3. Conclusão: Pessoas vivendo com o HIV, no momento do diagnóstico, podem apresentar alterações imunológicas, hematológicas e bioquímicas, tornando imprescindível a avaliação, acompanhamento e orientação multiprofissional, tanto antes como posterior introdução dos antirretrovirais, a fim de evitar futuros agravos a saúde. [au]

Introduction: Hematological, biochemical, and immunological alterations may already be present in HIV-infected patients at the time of diagnosis or before, or after starting antiretroviral therapy. Objective: Analyze the biochemical, hematological, and immunological profile of patients with a recent diagnosis of HIV. Method: The study evaluated 321 medical records of patients newly diagnosed with HIV infection. Data collection involved sociodemographic (date of birth, age, gender, education, marital status, employment relationship, and origin), clinical (date of diagnosis for HIV infection, immunodeficiency status, and type of exposure), biochemical (glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and fractions), hematological (hemoglobin and platelet) and immunological (CD4+ T lymphocytes and viral load) information. Data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics, adopting p<0.05. Results: There was a predominance of males (67%), aged 18-27 years (39.9%), single (58.6%), and 32% of patients had AIDS. Of the variables analyzed, males presented higher amounts of hemoglobin and lower values for CD4+ T lymphocyte count, glucose, and total cholesterol in relation to females (p<0.05). In addition, it is noteworthy that 69% of the sample presented a lipid alteration, 96% had a detectable viral load, and 71% had CD4+ T lymphocytes <200 cells/mm3. Conclusion: People living with HIV, at the time of diagnosis, may present immunological, hematological, and biochemical alterations, making multidisciplinary evaluation, follow up, and guidance essential, both before and after the introduction of antiretroviral therapy, in order to avoid future health problems. [au]

Suspected vertical transmission of Chagas disease caused by DTU TcIV in an infection probably transmitted orally, during anoutbreak in the Brazilian Amazon.

This study describes difficulties in the monitoring of a child born during an oral outbreak of Chagas disease, in which there are several indications that the transmission occurred through the congenital route: 1. the mother was in the third trimester of pregnancy when she was infected; 2. She presented high parasitemia at the time of delivery; 3. In both, the mother and her daughter, T. cruzi was classified as DTU TcIV. The parasites were not found in the blood at birth and the infection was detected only three months later in an asymptomatic infant. As the mother and her child live in a highly endemic area, vector transmission could not be excluded during this period.

High prevalence of Cryptococcal antigenemia using a finger-prick lateral flow assay in individuals with advanced HIV disease in Santarém Municipality, Brazilian Amazon Basin.

There is scarce information about HIV-related cryptococcosis in the Brazilian Amazon basin where laboratory infrastructure is limited. The serum cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) lateral flow assay (LFA) has simplified diagnosis of cryptococcosis and is recommended for screening in advanced HIV disease. We evaluated the prevalence of cryptococcal antigenemia using finger-prick CrAg LFA in the Brazilian Amazon basin. We enrolled a prospective cohort of outpatients and hospitalized individuals with advanced HIV disease at two centers in Santarém Municipality, Northern Brazil. All individuals were > 18 years old with advanced HIV disease, regardless of antiretroviral therapy (ART) status and with no prior or current history of confirmed cryptococcal meningitis. We tested CrAg LFA on finger-prick whole blood using an exact volume transfer pipette. From August 2018 to October 2019, 104 individuals were enrolled (outpatients 62 [60%] and hospitalized 42 [40%]). Median age was 38 years (interquartile range [IQR] 30-46), and 84 (81%) were male. Sixty-five (63%) individuals were ART-naïve. Prevalence of finger-prick CrAg LFA-positive was 10.6%; 95% CI, 5.4 to 18.1%. Prevalence of finger-prick CrAg LFA-positive among individuals without neurological symptoms was 6.0%; 95% CI, 1.7-14.6%. The number needed to test to detect one CrAg-positive individual was 9.4 persons (95% CI, 5.5-18.5). Prevalence of cryptococcal antigenemia using finger-prick whole blood CrAg LFA was high. Point-of-care approach was important for the diagnosis and screening of cryptococcosis in resource-limited settings. Screening and preemptive therapy strategy should be urgently implemented in individuals with advanced HIV disease in the Brazilian Amazon basin.

This prospective cohort study was carried-out in the Brazilian Amazon basin. We used a cryptococcal rapid test in patients with AIDS. We included 104 participants, and 11 (10.6%) of them had positive results showing a high prevalence of cryptococcal antigenemia.

HIV infection in the west region of Pará: clinical and socioeconomic characterization / Infecção pelo HIV na região oeste do Pará: caracterização clínica e socioeconômica

Aims: knowledge of the patient's profile, for the evaluation and suggested behaviors, promotes a favorable outcome. Thus, the objective of the study is to analyze the socioeconomic, clinical, and immunological characteristics of patients infected by the human immunodeficiency virus in the western region of the state of Pará.Methods: were analyzed 1966 medical records of patients whose first visit to a reference center, in the municipality of Santarém-PA, was between 1998 and 2018. Socioeconomic, clinical, and immunological information was collected from patient medical records. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, adopting p <0.05. Results: there was a predominance of males (62.5%), aged 20-39 years (69.1%), elementary school (58.6%), single (57.3%), and employed (66.4%). Immunosuppression was present in 22% of patients and a viral load was detectable in 66%. Tuberculosis (37%) and toxoplasmosis (23%) predominated as opportunistic infections, and syphilis (62.6%) and human papillomavirus (HPV; 14%) as other infections. Conclusions: it is concluded that both opportunistic infections and other infections were present in 25-22% of the patients and that the presence of opportunistic infections favors the installation of another infection, or vice versa. Toxoplasmosis, HPV, and syphilis are positively associated with men, and toxoplasmosis and tuberculosis with age >35 years. Immunosuppression was shown to be positively associated with men and age >35 years, as well as favoring the onset of tuberculosis, toxoplasmosis, and detectable viral load.

Objetivo: o conhecimento sobre o perfil do paciente para a avaliação e as propostas de condutas colabora com um desfecho favorável. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo é analisar as características socioeconômicas, clínicas e imunológicas de pacientes infectados pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana na região Oeste do Estado do Pará. Métodos: foram analisados 1.966 prontuários de pacientes que tiveram seu primeiro atendimento em um centro de referência, no município de Santarém (Pará), no período de 1998 a 2018. Levantaram-se informações socioeconômicas, clínicas e imunológicas nos referidos prontuários. Os dados foram analisados por estatística descritiva e inferencial, adotando-se p<0.05. Resultados: observou-se predominância do sexo masculino (62,5%), faixa etária de 20-39 anos (69,1%), ensino fundamental (58,6%), solteiros (57,3%) e com vínculo empregatício (66,4%). A imunossupressão estava presente em 22% dos pacientes e a carga viral detectável em 66%. A tuberculose (9,1%) e a toxoplasmose (5,6%) predominaram como infecções oportunistas, e a sífilis (14,1%) e o papiloma vírus humano (HPV; 3,2%) como outras infecções. Conclusão: conclui-se que tanto as infecções oportunistas como as outras infecções estavam presentes em 25 (22%) dos pacientes e que a presença da infecção oportunista favorece a instalação da outra infecção, ou vice-versa. A toxoplasmose, HPV e a sífilis se associaram positivamente aos homens, bem como, a toxoplasmose e a tuberculose com as idades >35 anos. A imunossupressão demonstrou estar associada positivamente aos homens e idades >35 anos, bem como, favorece a instalação da tuberculose, da toxoplasmose e da carga viral detectável.

Fatal evolution of acute Chagas disease in a child from Northern Brazil: factors that determine poor prognosis.

Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of Chagas disease. Nowadays, the transmission in Brazil occurs mainly by oral ingestion of contaminated food that has been associated with more severe clinical manifestations. We report a case of Acute Chagas disease caused by oral transmission in a child from Northern Brazil. In the hospital admission, physical examination showed tachycardia, hepatomegaly, bipalpebral edema and anasarca. Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes were found in microscopy during blood cell count. Twenty-three days before hospitalization, the child had ingested the "bacaba palm fruit's wine". Even with the appropriate diagnosis and starting of treatment, she did not survive. Quantitative analysis of Trypanosoma cruzi DNA in a blood sample resulted in 54,053.42 parasite equivalents/mL and the DTU TcIV was identified. The outcome may have been determined by several factors, including the delay to seek a medical service beyond the high parasitemia, detected by qPCR. DTU TcIV could also have influenced the natural history of the disease.

A case of envenomation caused by Oxybelis fulgidus (Serpentes, Colubridae) in Brazilian Amazon.

A case of a bite inflicted by Oxybelis fulgidus in the wilds of Amazon is reported. The patient was a 67-year-old man who presented with dizziness, tachycardia and local pain, with erythema and bleeding in his left arm. The venom of Oxybelis fulgidus, a neotropical rear-fanged snake, contains one of the four three-finger toxins already isolated from colubrid snakes, called fulgimotoxin. He was treated with oral analgesics and returned to the ambulatory in 48 hours, with good evolution. We report tirst authenticated case of adult Oxybelis fulgidus with signs of mild local envenoming without evidence of systemic envenoming.

A case of envenomation caused by Oxybelis fulgidus (Serpentes, Colubridae) in Brazilian Amazon

Abstract A case of a bite inflicted by Oxybelis fulgidus in the wilds of Amazon is reported. The patient was a 67-year-old man who presented with dizziness, tachycardia and local pain, with erythema and bleeding in his left arm. The venom of Oxybelis fulgidus, a neotropical rear-fanged snake, contains one of the four three-finger toxins already isolated from colubrid snakes, called fulgimotoxin. He was treated with oral analgesics and returned to the ambulatory in 48 hours, with good evolution. We report tirst authenticated case of adult Oxybelis fulgidus with signs of mild local envenoming without evidence of systemic envenoming.

A case of envenomation caused by Oxybelis fulgidus (Serpentes, Colubridae) in Brazilian Amazon

A case of a bite inflicted by Oxybelis fulgidus in the wilds of Amazon is reported. The patient was a 67-year-old man who presented with dizziness, tachycardia and local pain, with erythema and bleeding in his left arm. The venom of Oxybelis fulgidus, a neotropical rear-fanged snake, contains one of the four three-finger toxins already isolated from colubrid snakes, called fulgimotoxin. He was treated with oral analgesics and returned to the ambulatory in 48 hours, with good evolution. We report tirst authenticated case of adult Oxybelis fulgidus with signs of mild local envenoming without evidence of systemic envenoming.

A case of envenomation caused by Oxybelis fulgidus (Serpentes, Colubridae) in Brazilian Amazon

A case of a bite inflicted by Oxybelis fulgidus in the wilds of Amazon is reported. The patient was a 67-year-old man who presented with dizziness, tachycardia and local pain, with erythema and bleeding in his left arm. The venom of Oxybelis fulgidus, a neotropical rear-fanged snake, contains one of the four three-finger toxins already isolated from colubrid snakes, called fulgimotoxin. He was treated with oral analgesics and returned to the ambulatory in 48 hours, with good evolution. We report tirst authenticated case of adult Oxybelis fulgidus with signs of mild local envenoming without evidence of systemic envenoming.