Genetic polymorphisms (FTO rs9939609 and TMEM18 rs6548238), adipokines (leptin and adiponectin) and adiposity in children and adolescents with asthma.

OBJECTIVE: To describe independent factors related to the interaction of FTO rs9939609, TMEM18 rs6548238, leptin, and adiponectin in children/adolescents with asthma, under the influence of obesity. METHODS: The authors performed a cross-sectional study with 57 children/adolescents, ages 8-19 years, at a tertiary hospital, from 2017 to 2018. Participants were classified by nutritional status, performed spirometry with a bronchodilator test and completed an asthma questionnaire, higher scores indicated more asthma symptoms. Two asthma groups were formed: Group 1(G1)-normal-weight; Group 2(G2)-overweight/obese. Serum was collected for adipokines (n = 32) and genetic polymorphisms (n = 53) dosages. RESULTS: Age and body mass index (BMI) correlated directly in normal-weight (p = 0.009) and obese participants (p = 0.004). Girls reported more asthma complaints (p = 0.044). Participants with negative bronchodilator responses presented lower BMI (14.55-17.16) than responders (19.4-26.84) (p = 0.049). Leptin dosages are related directly to BMI (5,34-40 ng/ml in obese × 0,54-42 ng/ml in nonobese) (p = 0.003). Levels were high in girls (4.78-17.55 µg/ml) (p = 0.029) and low in nonobese boys (0.54-6.92 µg/ml) (p = 0.006). In obese, low leptin levels (< 10 ng/ml) were found in small airway dysfunction carriers (p = 0.025); elevated adiponectin (> 5 µg/ml) correlated with FEV1/FVC > 80 % (p = 0.035) and positive bronchodilator tests (8.84-13 µg/ml) (p = 0.039); and FTO A allele correlated with low adiponectin 0-8.84 µg/ml (p = 0.021) and low FEV1/FVC (46 %-88 %) (p = 0.023). CONCLUSION: BMI correlated directly with age and leptin levels. Obese participants presented high serum levels of leptin and FTO A allele correlated with low FEV1/FVC. Larger cohorts are necessary for better elucidation of the role of adipokines and polymorphisms in the pathophysiology of asthma and obesity.

Determinants of losses in the tuberculosis infection cascade of care among children and adolescent contacts of pulmonary tuberculosis cases: A Brazilian multi-centre longitudinal study.

Background: Approximately 10% of the global tuberculosis (TB) burden is in children. Identification, diagnosis, and early treatment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (TBI) is critical to prevent progression to TB in children. The risk of TB, including severe disease, is highest in children <5 years old. We evaluated the cascade of TBI care among child and adolescent TB contacts to identify factors associated with losses in the cascade. Methods: Close contacts ≤ 18 years old of pulmonary TB patients enrolled between 2015 and 2019 in a multi-centre Brazilian cohort were followed for up to 24 months and classified according to age groups: <5 years, 5-9 years, 10-14 years and 15-18 years. Data on clinical investigation, radiographic examination, IGRA testing at baseline and 6 months, initiation and completion of TB preventive treatment (TPT) were collected. Multivariable regression analyses identified factors associated with TBI and losses in the cascade of care in children and adolescents. Findings: Among 1795 TB contacts initially identified, 530 (29·5%) were ≤18 years old. Losses for all steps in the cascade were especially high in children <5 years old (88%) because at this age all contacts are recommended to initiate TPT. As a proportion of all children, completion of TPT was low (between 10% and 13%) in all age-groups. Furthermore, multivariable regression revealed that younger age of contacts and TB index cases who were female, had pulmonary cavities, and persistent cough were independently associated with losses in the cascade of care among persons ≤18 years old. Interpretation: Losses in the TBI cascade were the highest among children <5 years, which was the group at highest risk for TB among the four age groups. The findings highlight the need to improve screening, initiation, and completion of TPT of young children who are close contacts of people with TB in Brazil. Funding: National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Impact of Subsyndromal Delirium Occurrence and Its Trajectory during ICU Stay.

Despite recent advances in the field, the association between subsyndromal delirium (SSD) in the ICU and poor outcomes is not entirely clear. We performed a retrospective multicentric observational study analyzing mental status during the first 72 h of ICU stay. Of the 681 patients included, SSD occurred in 22.7%. Considering the worst cognitive assessment during the first 72 h, 233 (34%) patients had normal mental status, 124 (18%) patients had SSD and 324 (48%) patients had delirium or coma. SSD was not independently associated with an increased risk of death when compared with normal mental status (OR 95%IC 1.0 vs. 1.35 [0.73−1.49], p = 0.340), but was associated with a longer ICU LOS (7.0 (4−12) vs. 4 (3−8) days, p < 0.001). SSD patients who deteriorated to delirium or coma (21%) had a longer ICU LOS in comparison with those who improved or maintained mental status (8 (5−11) vs. 6 (4−8) days, p = 0.025), but did not have an increase in mortality. The main factors associated with the progression from SSD to delirium or coma were the use of mechanical ventilation, the use of intravenous benzodiazepines and a baseline APACHE II score > 23 points. Our findings support the association of SSD with increased ICU LOS, but not with ICU mortality. Monitoring the trajectory of SSD early at ICU admission can help to identify patients with increased risk of conversion from SSD to delirium or coma.

Nitazoxanide in Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Multicentre, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Background: Nitazoxanide exerts antiviral activity in vitro and in vivo and anti-inflammatory effects, but its impact on patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia is uncertain. Methods: A multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in 19 hospitals in Brazil. Hospitalized adult patients requiring supplemental oxygen, with COVID-19 symptoms and a chest computed tomography scan suggestive of viral pneumonia or positive RT-PCR test for COVID-19 were enrolled. Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive nitazoxanide (500 mg) or placebo, 3 times daily, for 5 days, and were followed for 14 days. The primary outcome was intensive care unit admission due to the need for invasive mechanical ventilation. Secondary outcomes included clinical improvement, hospital discharge, oxygen requirements, death, and adverse events within 14 days. Results: Of the 498 patients, 405 (202 in the nitazoxanide group and 203 in the placebo group) were included in the analyses. Admission to the intensive care unit did not differ between the groups (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval], 0.68 [0.38-1.20], p = 0.179); death rates also did not differ. Nitazoxanide improved the clinical outcome (2.75 [2.21-3.43], p < 0.0001), time to hospital discharge (1.37 [1.11-1.71], p = 0.005), and reduced oxygen requirements (0.77 [0.64-0.94], p = 0.011). C-reactive protein, D-dimer, and ferritin levels were lower in the nitazoxanide group than the placebo group on day 7. No serious adverse events were observed. Conclusions: Nitazoxanide, compared with placebo, did not prevent admission to the intensive care unit for patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia. Clinical Trial Registration: Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (REBEC) RBR88bs9x; ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04561219.

The Effect of Diabetes and Prediabetes on Antituberculosis Treatment Outcomes: A Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether diabetes or prediabetes affects unfavorable treatment outcomes and death in people with tuberculosis (PWTB). METHODS: Culture-confirmed, drug-susceptible PWTB, enrolled in the Regional Prospective Observational Research in Tuberculosis (RePORT)-Brazil cohort between 2015 and 2019 (N = 643) were stratified based on glycemic status according to baseline glycated hemoglobin. Unfavorable tuberculosis (TB) outcome was defined as treatment failure or modification, recurrence, or death; favorable outcome was cure or treatment completion. We corroborated the findings using data from PWTB reported to the Brazilian National System of Diseases Notification (SINAN) during 2015-2019 (N = 20 989). Logistic regression models evaluated associations between glycemic status and outcomes. RESULTS: In both cohorts, in univariate analysis, unfavorable outcomes were more frequently associated with smoking, illicit drug use, and human immunodeficiency virus infection. Diabetes, but not prediabetes, was associated with unfavorable outcomes in the RePORT-Brazil (adjusted relative risk [aRR], 2.45; P < .001) and SINAN (aRR, 1.76; P < .001) cohorts. Furthermore, diabetes was associated with high risk of death (during TB treatment) in both RePORT-Brazil (aRR, 2.16; P = .040) and SINAN (aRR, 1.93; P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes was associated with an increased risk of unfavorable outcomes and mortality in Brazilian PWTB. Interventions to improve TB treatment outcomes in persons with diabetes are needed.

Determinants of losses in the latent tuberculosis infection cascade of care in Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Factors associated with losses in the latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) cascade of care in contacts of patients with tuberculosis (TB) were investigated in a multicentre prospective cohort from highly endemic regions in Brazil. METHODS: Close contacts of 1187 patients with culture-confirmed pulmonary TB were prospectively studied between 2015 and 2019, with follow-up of 6-24 months. Data on TB screening by clinical investigation, radiographic examination and interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) were collected. Multivariable regressions were used to identify determinants of losses in the LTBI cascade. RESULTS: Among 4145 TB contacts initially identified, 1901 were examined (54% loss). Among those examined, 933 were people living with HIV, ≤5 years old and/or had positive IGRA results, and therefore had a recommendation to start TB preventive treatment (TPT). Of those, 454 (23%) initiated treatment, and 247 (54% of those initiating; 26% of those in whom treatment was recommended) completed TPT. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that living with HIV, illiteracy and black/pardo (brown) race were independently associated with losses in the cascade. CONCLUSION: There were losses at all LTBI cascade stages, but particularly at the initial screening and examination steps. Close contacts of low socioeconomic status and living with HIV were at heightened risk of not completing the LTBI cascade of care in Brazil.

Pre-Treatment Neutrophil Count as a Predictor of Antituberculosis Therapy Outcomes: A Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Neutrophils have been associated with lung tissue damage in many diseases, including tuberculosis (TB). Whether neutrophil count can serve as a predictor of adverse treatment outcomes is unknown. Methods: We prospectively assessed 936 patients (172 HIV-seropositive) with culture-confirmed pulmonary TB, enrolled in a multicenter prospective cohort study from different regions in Brazil, from June 2015 to June 2019, and were followed up to two years. TB patients had a baseline visit before treatment (month 0) and visits at month 2 and 6 (or at the end of TB treatment). Smear microscopy, and culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) were performed at TB diagnosis and during follow-up. Complete blood counts were measured at baseline. Treatment outcome was defined as either unfavorable (death, treatment failure or TB recurrence) or favorable (cure or treatment completion). We performed multivariable logistic regression, with propensity score regression adjustment, to estimate the association between neutrophil count with MTB culture result at month 2 and unfavorable treatment outcome. We used a propensity score adjustment instead of a fully adjusted regression model due to the relatively low number of outcomes. Results: Among 682 patients who had MTB culture results at month 2, 40 (5.9%) had a positive result. After regression with propensity score adjustment, no significant association between baseline neutrophil count (103/mm3) and positive MTB culture at month 2 was found among either HIV-seronegative (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = [0.95;1.19] or HIV-seropositive patients (OR = 0.77, 95% CI = [0.51; 1.20]). Of 691 TB patients followed up for at least 18 months and up to 24 months, 635 (91.9%) were either cured or completed treatment, and 56 (8.1%) had an unfavorable treatment outcome. A multivariable regression with propensity score adjustment found an association between higher neutrophil count (103/mm3) at baseline and unfavorable outcome among HIV-seronegative patients [OR= 1.17 (95% CI= [1.06;1.30]). In addition, adjusted Cox regression found that higher baseline neutrophil count (103/mm3) was associated with unfavorable treatment outcomes overall and among HIV-seronegative patients (HR= 1.16 (95% CI = [1.05;1.27]). Conclusion: Increased neutrophil count prior to anti-TB treatment initiation was associated with unfavorable treatment outcomes, particularly among HIV-seronegative patients. Further prospective studies evaluating neutrophil count in response to drug treatment and association with TB treatment outcomes are warranted.

Mesenchymal Stromal Cells From Emphysematous Donors and Their Extracellular Vesicles Are Unable to Reverse Cardiorespiratory Dysfunction in Experimental Severe Emphysema.

Although bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) from patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) appear to be phenotypically and functionally similar to BM-MSCs from healthy sources in vitro, the impact of COPD on MSC metabolism and mitochondrial function has not been evaluated. In this study, we aimed to comparatively characterize MSCs from healthy and emphysematous donors (H-MSCs and E-MSCs) in vitro and to assess the therapeutic potential of these MSCs and their extracellular vesicles (H-EVs and E-EVs) in an in vivo model of severe emphysema. For this purpose, C57BL/6 mice received intratracheal porcine pancreatic elastase once weekly for 4 weeks to induce emphysema; control animals received saline under the same protocol. Twenty-four hours after the last instillation, animals received saline, H-MSCs, E-MSCs, H-EVs, or E-EVs intravenously. In vitro characterization demonstrated that E-MSCs present downregulation of anti-inflammatory (TSG-6, VEGF, TGF-ß, and HGF) and anti-oxidant (CAT, SOD, Nrf2, and GSH) genes, and their EVs had larger median diameter and lower average concentration. Compared with H-MSC, E-MSC mitochondria also exhibited a higher respiration rate, were morphologically elongated, expressed less dynamin-related protein-1, and produced more superoxide. When co-cultured with alveolar macrophages, both H-MSCs and E-MSCs induced an increase in iNOS and arginase-1 levels, but only H-MSCs and their EVs were able to enhance IL-10 levels. In vivo, emphysematous mice treated with E-MSCs or E-EVs demonstrated no amelioration in cardiorespiratory dysfunction. On the other hand, H-EVs, but not H-MSCs, were able to reduce the neutrophil count, the mean linear intercept, and IL-1ß and TGF-ß levels in lung tissue, as well as reduce pulmonary arterial hypertension and increase the right ventricular area in a murine model of elastase-induced severe emphysema. In conclusion, E-MSCs and E-EVs were unable to reverse cardiorespiratory dysfunction, whereas H-EVs administration was associated with a reduction in cardiovascular and respiratory damage in experimental severe emphysema.

The Effect of Diabetes and Prediabetes on Mycobacterium tuberculosis Transmission to Close Contacts.

BACKGROUND: It is unknown whether dysglycemia is associated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission. METHODS: We assessed epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with culture-confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis and their close contacts, enrolled in a multicenter prospective cohort in Brazil. Contacts were investigated at baseline and 6 months after enrollment. QuantiFERON positivity at baseline and conversion (from negative to positive at month 6) were compared between subgroups of contacts according to glycemic status of persons with tuberculosis (PWTB) as diabetes mellitus (DM) or prediabetes. Multivariable mixed-effects logistic regression models were performed to test independent associations with baseline QuantiFERON positive and QuantiFERON conversion. RESULTS: There were 592 PWTB (153 DM, 141 prediabetes, 211 normoglycemic) and 1784 contacts, of whom 658 were QuantiFERON-positive at baseline and 106 converters. Multivariable analyses demonstrated that tuberculosis-prediabetes cases, acid-fast bacilli-positive, pulmonary cavities, and living with someone who smoked were independently associated with QuantiFERON positive in contacts at baseline. DM, persistent cough, acid-fast bacilli-positive, and pulmonary cavities in tuberculosis source cases were associated with QuantiFERON conversion. CONCLUSIONS: Contacts of persons with pulmonary tuberculosis and dysglycemia were at increased risk of being QuantiFERON positive at baseline or month 6. Increased focus on such close contacts could improve tuberculosis control.

Prevalence and Clinical Profiling of Dysglycemia and HIV Infection in Persons With Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: There are scarce data on the prevalence and disease presentation of HIV in patients with tuberculosis (TB) and dysglycemia (diabetes [DM] and prediabetes [PDM]), especially in TB-endemic countries. METHODS: We assessed the baseline epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with culture-confirmed pulmonary TB, enrolled in a multicenter prospective cohort in Brazil (RePORT-Brazil) during 2015-2019. Dysglycemia was defined by elevated glycated hemoglobin and stratified as PDM or DM. Additionally, we used data from TB cases obtained through the Brazilian National Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN), during 2015-2019. In SINAN, diagnosis of diabetes was based on self-report. Logistic regression models were performed to test independent associations between HIV, dysglycemia status, and other baseline characteristics in both cohorts. RESULTS: In the RePORT-Brazil cohort, the prevalence of DM and of PDM was 23.7 and 37.8%, respectively. Furthermore, the prevalence of HIV was 21.4% in the group of persons with TB-dysglycemia and 20.5% in that of patients with TBDM. In the SINAN cohort, the prevalence of DM was 9.2%, and among the TBDM group the prevalence of HIV was 4.1%. Logistic regressions demonstrated that aging was independently associated with PDM or DM in both the RePORT-Brazil and SINAN cohorts. In RePORT-Brazil, illicit drug use was associated with PDM, whereas a higher body mass index (BMI) was associated with DM occurrence. Of note, HIV was not associated with an increased risk of PDM or DM in patients with pulmonary TB in both cohorts. Moreover, in both cohorts, the TBDM-HIV group presented with a lower proportion of positive sputum smear and a higher frequency of tobacco and alcohol users. CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of dysglycemia in patients with pulmonary TB in Brazil, regardless of the HIV status. This reinforces the idea that DM should be systematically screened in persons with TB. Presence of HIV does not substantially impact clinical presentation in persons with TBDM, although it is associated with more frequent use of recreational drugs and smear negative sputum samples during TB screening.

Novel stepwise approach to assess representativeness of a large multicenter observational cohort of tuberculosis patients: The example of RePORT Brazil.

BACKGROUND: A major goal of tuberculosis (TB) epidemiological studies is to obtain results that can be generalized to the larger population with TB. The ability to extrapolate findings on the determinants of TB treatment outcomes is also important. METHODS: We compared baseline clinical and demographic characteristics and determinants of anti-TB treatment outcomes between persons enrolled in the Regional Prospective Observational Research in Tuberculosis (RePORT)-Brazil cohort between June 2015 and June 2019, and the registry of TB cases reported to the Brazilian National TB Program (Information System for Notifiable Diseases [SINAN]) during the same time period. Multivariable regression models adjusted for the study site were performed using second-generation p-values, a novel statistical approach. Associations with unfavorable treatment outcomes were tested for both RePORT-Brazil and SINAN cohorts. FINDINGS: A total of 1,060 culture-confirmed TB patients were enrolled in RePORT-Brazil and 455,873 TB cases were reported to SINAN. Second-generation p-value analyses revealed that the cohorts were strikingly similar with regard to sex, age, use of antiretroviral therapy and positive initial smear sputum microscopy. However, diabetes, HIV infection, and smoking were more frequently documented in RePORT-Brazil. Illicit drug use, the presence of diabetes, and history of prior TB were associated with unfavorable TB treatment outcomes; illicit drug use was associated with such outcomes in both cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: There were important similarities in demographic characteristics and determinants of clinical outcomes between the RePORT-Brazil cohort and the Brazilian National registry of TB cases.

Autologous bone marrow-derived mononuclear cell therapy in three patients with severe asthma.

BACKGROUND: Despite recent advances in understanding its pathophysiology and development of novel therapies, asthma remains a serious public health issue worldwide. Combination therapy with inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting ß2-adrenoceptor agonists results in disease control for many patients, but those who exhibit severe asthma are often unresponsive to conventional treatment, experiencing worse quality of life, frequent exacerbations, and increasing healthcare costs. Bone marrow-derived mononuclear cell (BMMC) transplantation has been shown to reduce airway inflammation and remodeling and improve lung function in experimental models of allergic asthma. METHODS: This is a case series of three patients who presented severe asthma, unresponsive to conventional therapy and omalizumab. They received a single intravenous dose of autologous BMMCs (2 × 107) and were periodically evaluated for 1 year after the procedure. Endpoint assessments included physical examination, quality of life questionnaires, imaging (computed tomography, single-photon emission computed tomography, and ventilation/perfusion scan), lung function tests, and a 6-min walk test. RESULTS: All patients completed the follow-up protocol. No serious adverse events attributable to BMMC transplantation were observed during or after the procedure. Lung function remained stable throughout. A slight increase in ventilation of the right lung was observed on day 120 after BMMC transplantation in one patient. All three patients reported improvement in quality of life in the early post-procedure course. CONCLUSIONS: This paper described for the first time the effects of BMMC therapy in patients with severe asthma, providing a basis for subsequent trials to assess the efficacy of this therapy.

Polymorphisms in interferon pathway genes and risk of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in contacts of tuberculosis cases in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Host genetic polymorphisms may be important in determining susceptibility to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection, but their role is not fully understood. Detection of microbial DNA and activation of type I interferon (IFN) pathways regulate macrophage responses to Mtb infection. METHODS: We examined whether seven candidate gene SNPs were associated with tuberculin skin test (TST) positivity in close contacts of microbiologically confirmed pulmonary TB patients in Brazil. Independent associations with TST positivity were tested using multivariable logistic regression (using genotypes and clinical variables) and genetic models. RESULTS: Among 482 contacts of 145 TB index cases, 296 contacts were TST positive. Multivariable regression analysis adjusted for population admixture, age, family relatedness, sex and clinical variables related to increased TB risk demonstrated that SNPs in PYHIN1-IFI16-AIM2 rs1101998 (adjusted OR [aOR]: 3.72; 95%CI=1.15-12.0; p=0.028) and in PYHIN1-IFI16-AIM2 rs1633256 (aOR=24.84; 95%CI=2.26-272.95; p=0.009) were associated with TST positivity in a recessive model. Furthermore, an IRF7 polymorphism (rs11246213) was associated with reduced odds of TST positivity in a dominant model (aOR: 0.50, 95%CI: 0.26-0.93; p=0.029). CONCLUSIONS: Polymorphisms in PYHIN1-IFI16-AIM2 rs1633256, rs1101998 and in IRF7 rs11246213 were associated with altered susceptibility to Mtb infection in this Brazilian cohort.

Clonal expansion across the seas as seen through CPLP-TB database: A joint effort in cataloguing Mycobacterium tuberculosis genetic diversity in Portuguese-speaking countries.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major health problem within the Community of Portuguese Language Speaking Countries (CPLP). Despite the marked variation in TB incidence across its member-states and continued human migratory flux between countries, a considerable gap in the knowledge on the Mycobacterium tuberculosis population structure and strain circulation between the countries still exists. To address this, we have assembled and analysed the largest CPLP M. tuberculosis molecular and drug susceptibility dataset, comprised by a total of 1447 clinical isolates, including 423 multidrug-resistant isolates, from five CPLP countries. The data herein presented reinforces Latin American and Mediterranean (LAM) strains as the hallmark of M. tuberculosis populational structure in the CPLP coupled with country-specific differential prevalence of minor clades. Moreover, using high-resolution typing by 24-loci MIRU-VNTR, six cross-border genetic clusters were detected, thus supporting recent clonal expansion across the Lusophone space. To make this data available to the scientific community and public health authorities we developed CPLP-TB (available at http://cplp-tb.ff.ulisboa.pt), an online database coupled with web-based tools for exploratory data analysis. As a public health tool, it is expected to contribute to improved knowledge on the M. tuberculosis population structure and strain circulation within the CPLP, thus supporting the risk assessment of strain-specific trends.

Polymorphisms in TLR4 and TNFA and Risk of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection and Development of Active Disease in Contacts of Tuberculosis Cases in Brazil: A Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The role of genetic polymorphisms in latent tuberculosis (TB) infection and progression to active TB is not fully understood. METHODS: We tested the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs5743708 (TLR2), rs4986791 (TLR4), rs361525 (TNFA), rs2430561 (IFNG) rs1143627 (IL1B) as risk factors for tuberculin skin test (TST) conversion or development of active TB in contacts of active TB cases. Contacts of microbiologically confirmed pulmonary TB cases were initially screened for longitudinal evaluation up to 24 months, with clinical examination and serial TST, between 1998 and 2004 at a referral center in Brazil. Data and biospecimens were collected from 526 individuals who were contacts of 177 active TB index cases. TST conversion was defined as induration ≥5 mm after a negative TST result (0 mm) at baseline or month 4 visit. Independent associations were tested using logistic regression models. RESULTS: Among the 526 contacts, 60 had TST conversion and 44 developed active TB during follow-up. Multivariable regression analysis demonstrated that male sex (odds ratio [OR]: 2.3, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-4.6), as well as SNPs in TLR4 genes (OR: 62.8, 95% CI: 7.5-525.3) and TNFA (OR: 4.2, 95% CI: 1.9-9.5) were independently associated with TST conversion. Moreover, a positive TST at baseline (OR: 4.7, 95% CI: 2.3-9.7) and SNPs in TLR4 (OR: 6.5, 95% CI: 1.1-36.7) and TNFA (OR: 12.4, 95% CI:5.1-30.1) were independently associated with incident TB. CONCLUSIONS: SNPs in TLR4 and TNFA predicted both TST conversion and active TB among contacts of TB cases in Brazil.

Patterns of C-reactive protein ratio predicts outcomes in healthcare-associated pneumonia in critically ill patients with cancer.

PURPOSE: Describe the patterns of C-reactive protein relative changes in response to antibiotic therapy in critically ill cancer patients with healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP) and its ability to predict outcome. METHODS: Secondary analysis of a prospective cohort of critically ill cancer patients with HCAP. CRP was sampled every other day from D0 to D6 of antibiotic therapy. Patients were classified according to an individual pattern of CRP-ratio response: fast - CRP at D4 of therapy was <0.4 of D0 CRP; slow - a continuous but slow decrease of CRP; non - CRP remained ≥0.8 of D0 CRP; biphasic - initial CRP decrease to levels <0.8 of the D0 CRP followed by a secondary rise ≥0.8. RESULTS: 129 patients were included and septic shock was present in 74% and invasive mechanical ventilation was used in 73%. Intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital mortality rates were 47% and 64%, respectively. By D4, both CRP and CRP-ratio of survivors were significantly lower than in nonsurvivors (p<0.001 and p=0.004, respectively). Both time-dependent analysis of CRP-ratio of the four previously defined patterns (p<0.001) as ICU mortality were consistently different [fast 12.9%, slow 43.2%, biphasic 66.7% and non 71.8% (p<0.001)]. CONCLUSION: CRP-ratio was useful in the early prediction of poor outcomes in cancer patients with HCAP.

Outcomes of subsyndromal delirium in ICU: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Subsyndromal delirium (SSD) is a frequent condition and has been commonly described as an intermediate stage between delirium and normal cognition. However, the true frequency of SSD and its impact on clinically relevant outcomes in the intensive care unit (ICU) remains unclear. METHODS: We performed a systematic search in PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and PsychINFO, with no language restrictions, up to 1 October 2016 to identify publications that evaluated SSD in ICU patients. RESULTS: The six eligible studies were evaluated. SSD was present in 950 (36%) patients. Four studies evaluated only surgical patients. Four studies used the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC) and two used the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) score to diagnose SSD. The meta-analysis showed an increased hospital length of stay (LOS) in SSD patients (0.31, 0.12-0.51, p = 0.002; I 2 = 34%). Hospital mortality was described in two studies but it was not significant (hazard ratio 0.97, 0.61-1.55, p = 0.90 and 5% vs 9%, p = 0.05). The use of antipsychotics in SSD patients to prevent delirium was evaluated in two studies but it did not modify ICU LOS (6.5 (4-8) vs 7 (4-9) days, p = 0.66 and 2 (2-3) vs 3 (2-3) days, p = 0.517) or mortality (9 (26.5%) vs 7 (20.6%), p = 0.55). CONCLUSIONS: SSD occurs in one-third of the ICU patients and has limited impact on the outcomes. The current literature concerning SSD is composed of small-sample studies with methodological differences, impairing a clear conclusion about the association between SSD and progression to delirium or worse ICU clinical outcomes.

Functional analysis of polymorphisms in the COX-2 gene and risk of lung cancer.

The enzyme cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) is known to be involved in tumorigenesis and metastasis in certain types of cancer. Nevertheless, the prognostic value of COX-2 overexpression and its polymorphisms in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have yet to be fully elucidated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between the three most commonly studied COX-2 gene polymorphisms (-1195 G/A, -765 G/C and 8473 T/C) with COX-2 expression and lung cancer risk in a Brazilian cohort. In the present hospital based, case-control retrospective study, 104 patients with NSCLC and 202 cancer free control subjects were genotyped for -1195 G/A, -765 G/C and 8473 T/C polymorphisms using allelic discrimination with a reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction method. COX-2 mRNA expression was analyzed in surgically resected tumors from 34 patients with NSCLC. The results revealed that COX-2 expression levels were higher in tumor tissue compared with normal lung tissue. However, this overexpression of COX-2 was not associated with the patient outcome, and furthermore, none of the analyzed polymorphisms were associated with the risk of developing lung cancer, COX-2 overexpression, or the overall survival of the patients with NSCLC. Taken together, the findings described in the present study do not support a major role for COX-2 polymorphisms and COX-2 overexpression in lung carcinogenesis within the Brazilian population.

Transcriptomic Biomarkers for Tuberculosis: Evaluation of DOCK9. EPHA4, and NPC2 mRNA Expression in Peripheral Blood.

Lately, much effort has been made to find mRNA biomarkers for tuberculosis (TB) disease/infection with microarray-based approaches. In a pilot investigation, through RNA sequencing technology, we observed a prominent modulation of DOCK9, EPHA4, and NPC2 mRNA abundance in the blood of TB patients. To corroborate these findings, independent validations were performed in cohorts from different areas. Gene expression levels in blood were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR (Brazil, n = 129) or reanalysis of public microarray data (UK: n = 96; South Africa: n = 51; Germany: n = 26; and UK/France: n = 63). In the Brazilian cohort, significant modulation of all target-genes was observed comparing TB vs. healthy recent close TB contacts (rCt). With a 92% specificity, NPC2 mRNA high expression (NPC2high) showed the highest sensitivity (85%, 95% CI 65%-96%; area under the ROC curve [AUROC] = 0.88), followed by EPHA4 (53%, 95% CI 33%-73%, AUROC = 0.73) and DOCK9 (19%, 95% CI 7%-40%; AUROC = 0.66). All the other reanalyzed cohorts corroborated the potential of NPC2high as a biomarker for TB (sensitivity: 82-100%; specificity: 94-97%). An NPC2high profile was also observed in 60% (29/48) of the tuberculin skin test positive rCt, and additional follow-up evaluation revealed changes in the expression levels of NPC2 during the different stages of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, suggesting that further studies are needed to evaluate modulation of this gene during latent TB and/or progression to active disease. Considering its high specificity, our data indicate, for the first time, that NPC2high might serve as an accurate single-gene biomarker for TB.

Pilot safety study of intrabronchial instillation of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells in patients with silicosis.

BACKGROUND: Silicosis is an occupational disease for which no effective treatment is currently known. Systemic administration of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells (BMDMCs) has shown to be safe in lung diseases. However, so far, no studies have analyzed whether bronchoscopic instillation of autologous BMDMCs is a safe route of administration in patients with silicosis. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, non-randomized, single-center longitudinal study in five patients. Inclusion criteria were age 18-50 years, chronic and accelerated silicosis, forced expiratory volume in 1 s <60 % and >40 %, forced vital capacity ≥60 % and arterial oxygen saturation >90 %. The exclusion criteria were smoking, active tuberculosis, neoplasms, autoimmune disorders, heart, liver or renal diseases, or inability to undergo bronchoscopy. BMDMCs were administered through bronchoscopy (2 × 10(7) cells) into both lungs. Physical examination, laboratory evaluations, quality of life questionnaires, computed tomography of the chest, lung function tests, and perfusion scans were performed before the start of treatment and up to 360 days after BMDMC therapy. Additionally, whole-body and planar scans were evaluated 2 and 24 h after instillation. RESULTS: No adverse events were observed during and after BMDMC administration. Lung function, quality of life and radiologic features remained stable throughout follow-up. Furthermore, an early increase of perfusion in the base of both lungs was observed and sustained after BMDMC administration. CONCLUSION: Administration of BMDMCs through bronchoscopy appears to be feasible and safe in accelerated and chronic silicosis. This pilot study provides a basis for prospective randomized trials to assess the efficacy of this treatment approach. CLINICAL TRIALS. GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT01239862 Date of Registration: November 10, 2010.