Disseminated Neonatal Monkeypox Virus Infection: Case Report in Brazil.

We present here a case of a newborn presenting with a vesicular rash on the scalp and thorax on day 9 of life. Vesicular fluid polymerase chain reaction testing confirmed the presence of Mpox virus DNA. Similar reports in newborns are rare, and we suggest that Mpox infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a neonatal vesicular rash, particularly if there is a history of similar rashes in the family.

Surgical Site Infection after Cesarean Delivery in Times of COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the consumption of personal protective equipment and products (PPEP), as well as the frequency of surgical site infection (SSI) among non-COVID-19 patients submitted to cesarean sections. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted in a maternity unity of a public teaching hospital which was not part of the reference service for COVID-19 treatment. It compared PPEP consumption and the occurrence of SSI after cesarean sections in monthly periods before and after the occurrence of the first case of COVID-19 in Porto Alegre, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Personal protective equipment and products consumption was measured as units of masks, gloves, gowns, and caps, and use of alcohol-based products or soap for hand sanitation as ml/patient/day. The SSI index was calculated as the proportion of cases of SSI over the number of cesarean sections performed monthly during the study period. RESULTS: There was an increase in all measured items of PPEP, with consumption of disposable masks with a median of 1,450 units in the pre-COVID period, and of 2550 in the post-COVID period (a 75.9% increase). A decrease of 49% in SSI was detected, with a median of 1.74 in the pre-COVID period and of 0.89 in the post-COVID period. CONCLUSION: The increase in consumption of PPEP could be a result of safer practices adopted by healthcare workers with the advent of COVID-19, of which the following reduction in the occurrence of SSI could be a direct consequence. Despite the severity of the crisis, one could state that extreme situations can lead to valuable reflections and opportunities for improvement.

OBJETIVO: Analisar os efeitos da pandemia de COVID-19 sobre o consumo de equipamentos e produtos de proteção individual (EPPI), assim como a frequência de infecção de sítio cirúrgico (ISC) em pacientes não infectadas por COVID-19 submetidas a cesarianas. MéTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo em uma maternidade de um hospital público de ensino que não fazia parte do serviço de referência para o tratamento do COVID-19. Foram comparados o consumo de EPPI e a ocorrência de ISC após cesárea nos períodos mensais antes e após a ocorrência do primeiro caso de COVID-19 em Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil. O consumo de EPPI foi medido em unidades de máscaras, luvas, aventais e gorros, e o uso de produtos à base de álcool ou de sabonete para higienização das mãos em ml/paciente/dia. O índice SSI foi calculado como a proporção de casos de ISC sobre o número de cesarianas realizadas mensalmente durante o período do estudo. RESULTADOS: Houve aumento em todos os itens medidos do EPPI, com o consumo de máscaras descartáveis apresentando uma mediana de 1.450 no período pré-COVID e de 2550 no período pós-COVID (aumento de 75,9%). Detectou-se também diminuição de ISC, com medianas de 1,74 no período pré-COVID e de 0,89 no período pós-COVID, com redução de 49% no valor da mediana. CONCLUSãO: O aumento do consumo de EPPI pode ser resultado de práticas mais seguras adotadas pelos profissionais de saúde com o advento do COVID-19, do qual a redução na ocorrência de ISC pode ser uma consequência direta. Apesar da gravidade da crise, pode-se afirmar que situações extremas podem gerar reflexões valiosas e oportunidades de melhorias.

Surgical Site Infection after Cesarean Delivery in Times of COVID-19 / Infecção de sítio cirúrgico após cesariana em tempos de COVID-19

Abstract Objective To analyze effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the consumption of personal protective equipment and products (PPEP), as well as the frequency of surgical site infection (SSI) among non-COVID-19 patients submitted to cesarean sections. Methods A retrospective study was conducted in a maternity unity of a public teaching hospital which was not part of the reference service for COVID-19 treatment. It compared PPEP consumption and the occurrence of SSI after cesarean sections in monthly periods before and after the occurrence of the first case of COVID-19 in Porto Alegre, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Personal protective equipment and products consumption was measured as units of masks, gloves, gowns, and caps, and use of alcohol-based products or soap for hand sanitation asml/patient/day. The SSI index was calculated as the proportion of cases of SSI over the number of cesarean sections performed monthly during the study period. Results There was an increase in all measured items of PPEP, with consumption of disposable masks with a median of 1,450 units in the pre-COVID period, and of 2550 in the post-COVID period (a 75.9% increase). A decrease of 49% in SSI was detected, with a median of 1.74 in the pre-COVID period and of 0.89 in the post-COVID period. Conclusion The increase in consumption of PPEP could be a result of safer practices adopted by healthcare workers with the advent of COVID-19, of which the following reduction in the occurrence of SSI could be a direct consequence. Despite the severity of the crisis, one could state that extreme situations can lead to valuable reflections and opportunities for improvement.

Resumo Objetivo Analisar os efeitos da pandemia de COVID-19 sobre o consumo de equipamentos e produtos de proteção individual (EPPI), assim como a frequência de infecção de sítio cirúrgico (ISC) em pacientes não infectadas por COVID-19 submetidas a cesarianas. Métodos Foi realizado umestudo retrospectivo em umamaternidade de um hospital público de ensino que não fazia parte do serviço de referência para o tratamento do COVID-19. Foram comparados o consumo de EPPI e a ocorrência de ISC após cesárea nos períodos mensais antes e após a ocorrência do primeiro caso de COVID-19 em Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil. O consumo de EPPI foimedido emunidades demáscaras, luvas, aventais e gorros, e o uso de produtos à base de álcool ou de sabonete para higienização das mãos em ml/paciente/dia. O índice SSI foi calculado como a proporção de casos de ISC sobre o número de cesarianas realizadas mensalmente durante o período do estudo. Resultados Houve aumento em todos os itens medidos do EPPI, com o consumo de máscaras descartáveis apresentando uma mediana de 1.450 no período pré-COVID e de 2550 no período pós-COVID (aumento de 75,9%). Detectou-se também diminuição de ISC, com medianas de 1,74 no período pré-COVID e de 0,89 no período pós-COVID, com redução de 49% no valor da mediana. Conclusão O aumento do consumo de EPPI pode ser resultado de práticas mais seguras adotadas pelos profissionais de saúde com o advento do COVID-19, do qual a redução na ocorrência de ISC pode ser uma consequência direta. Apesar da gravidade da crise, pode-se afirmar que situações extremas podem gerar reflexões valiosas e oportunidades de melhorias.

Case for diagnosis. Penile lesion in HIV-negative patient

Abstract We present the case of an HIV-negative man with asymptomatic penile erythematoviolaceous papules associated with similar slightly verrucous papules in the interdigital space of the right foot. A biopsy of the penile lesion confirmed Kaposi's sarcoma. No other causes of immunosuppression were observed. Penile lesions of KS are rare in HIV-negative individuals but it should also be considered in the differential diagnosis. Careful follow-up is recommended.

Case for diagnosis. Penile lesion in HIV-negative patient.

We present the case of an HIV-negative man with asymptomatic penile erythematoviolaceous papules associated with similar slightly verrucous papules in the interdigital space of the right foot. A biopsy of the penile lesion confirmed Kaposi's sarcoma. No other causes of immunosuppression were observed. Penile lesions of KS are rare in HIV-negative individuals but it should also be considered in the differential diagnosis. Careful follow-up is recommended.

Alternative antimicrobials for prophylaxis of the Group B Streptococcus maternal-fetal disease.

INTRODUCTION: GBS colonization is an important risk factor for maternal and neonatal infection morbidity and mortality. Intrapartum antibiotics may prevent vertical transmission of GBS from colonized mothers to their babies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of cefazolin prophylactic regimen for GBS disease, comparing it to the established penicillin-based protocols, given the opportunity provided by the temporary unavailability of first-choice antibiotics in Brazil. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective analysis was conducted at the Hospital Femina Obstetrics Service between January and December 2015. Ninety-eight pregnant women received standard penicillin (70 patients) or ampicillin (28 patients) antibiotic prophylaxis, and 251 pregnant women received an alternative prophylaxis with cefazolin during the study period. Risk factor, Maternal and neonatal outcomes were evaluated and compared between groups. RESULTS: No significant difference was found in maternal (RR = 0.71; IC 95%:0.30-1.68; p = 0.709) and neonatal (RR = 0.84; IC 95%:0.61-1.15; p = 0.271) outcomes between those patients using the alternative antibiotic prophylaxis in comparison to the standard antibiotics, with the dependent variable of maternal and neonatal outcomes grouped and controlled for potential confounding variables. CONCLUSIONS: The antibiotics used as alternatives to penicillin and ampicillin for the prevention of maternal-fetal GBS disease are poorly studied, and this study indicate that cefazolin can be an optimal choice, offering safety in the use of this antibiotic in situations where penicillins are contraindicated or unavailable.

The Use of Mobile Educational Tools to Improve Antimicrobial Prescription for the Treatment of Acute Pyelonephritis in Pregnancy: A Retrospective Cross-sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prescription of antimicrobial agents for pregnant women admitted into the obstetrics service who presented with acute pyelonephritis. METHODS: Three cross-sectional studies were performed comparing the prescription of antimicrobials for pyelonephritis in pregnant women in the time periods evaluated (2010-2011: 99 patients evaluated; 2013: 116 patients evaluated; 2015: 107 patients evaluated), at the Hospital Fêmina, Porto Alegre, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The analysis was performed before and after the promotion of an institutional protocol for the treatment of pyelonephritis during pregnancy, and on a third occasion after the introduction of a smartphone-based mobile educational tool. RESULTS: The evaluation of the prescribing physicians and the adequacy of the prescriptions between the different periods studied revealed a significant increase in appropriate conduct for the choice of antimicrobial (2010: 83.8%; 2013: 95.7%; and 2015: 100%), route of administration (2010: 97%; 2013: 100%; and 2015: 100%), and interval (2010: 91.9%; 2013: 95.7%; and 2015: 100%), following the introduction of the protocol, and again after the implementation of the software application with orientations on the antimicrobial treatment. CONCLUSION: The use of specific mobile applications should be encouraged to attain a better quality and accuracy in prescriptions and to include strategies that not only reduce the risk of negative outcomes, but also improve the quality of care and treatment for maintaining the health both of the mother and of the baby.

OBJETIVO: Analisar a prescrição de antimicrobianos para gestantes admitidas no serviço de obstetrícia que apresentaram pielonefrite aguda. MéTODOS: Foram realizados três estudos transversais comparando a prescrição de antimicrobianos para pielonefrite em gestantes nos períodos avaliados (2010­2011: 99 indivíduos avaliados; 2013: 116 indivíduos avaliados; 2015: 107 indivíduos avaliados), no Hospital Fêmina, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil. A análise foi realizada antes e após a promoção de um protocolo institucional para o tratamento da pielonefrite durante a gravidez e, em uma terceira ocasião, após a introdução de uma ferramenta educacional móvel para uso por smartphone. RESULTADOS: A avaliação das prescrições médicas e a adequação das prescrições entre os diferentes períodos estudados revelaram um aumento significativo na conduta adequada para a escolha do antimicrobiano (2010: 83,8%; 2013: 95,7%; e 2015: 100%), via de administração (2010: 97%; 2013: 100%; e 2015: 100%) e intervalo (2010: 91,9%; 2013: 95,7%; e 2015: 100%), após a introdução do protocolo, e novamente após a implementação do aplicativo com orientações sobre tratamento antimicrobiano. CONCLUSãO: O uso de aplicativos móveis específicos deve ser incentivado para obter melhor qualidade e precisão nas prescrições e incluir estratégias que não apenas reduzam o risco de resultados negativos, mas que também melhorem a qualidade dos cuidados e do tratamento para manter a saúde conjunta da mãe e do bebê.

The use of mobile educational tools to improve antimicrobial prescription for the treatment of acute pyelonephritis in pregnancy: A retrospective cross-sectional study / O uso de ferramentas educacionais móveis para o aperfeiçoamento da prescrição médica do tratamento de pielonefrite aguda na gestação: estudo transversal retrospectivo

Abstract Objective To analyze the prescription of antimicrobial agents for pregnant women admitted into the obstetrics service who presented with acute pyelonephritis. Methods Three cross-sectional studies were performed comparing the prescription of antimicrobials for pyelonephritis in pregnant women in the time periods evaluated (2010-2011: 99 patients evaluated; 2013: 116 patients evaluated; 2015: 107 patients evaluated), at the Hospital Fêmina, Porto Alegre, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The analysis was performed before and after the promotion of an institutional protocol for the treatment of pyelonephritis during pregnancy, and on a third occasion after the introduction of a smartphone-based mobile educational tool. Results The evaluation of the prescribing physicians and the adequacy of the prescriptions between the different periods studied revealed a significant increase in appropriate conduct for the choice of antimicrobial (2010: 83.8%; 2013: 95.7%; and 2015: 100%), route of administration (2010: 97%; 2013: 100%; and 2015: 100%), and interval (2010: 91.9%; 2013: 95.7%; and 2015: 100%), following the introduction of the protocol, and again after the implementation of the softwareapplicationwithorientationsontheantimicrobial treatment. Conclusion The use of specific mobile applications should be encouraged to attain a better quality and accuracy in prescriptions and to include strategies that not only reduce the risk of negative outcomes, but also improve the quality of care and treatment for maintaining the health both of the mother and of the baby.

Resumo Objetivo Analisar a prescrição de antimicrobianos para gestantes admitidas no serviço de obstetrícia que apresentaram pielonefrite aguda. Métodos Foram realizados três estudos transversais comparando a prescrição de antimicrobianos para pielonefrite em gestantes nos períodos avaliados (2010-2011: 99 indivíduos avaliados; 2013: 116 indivíduos avaliados; 2015: 107 indivíduos avaliados), no Hospital Fêmina, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil. A análise foi realizada antes e após a promoção de um protocolo institucional para o tratamento da pielonefrite durante a gravidez e, em uma terceira ocasião, após a introdução de uma ferramenta educacional móvel para uso por smartphone. Resultados A avaliação das prescrições médicas e a adequação das prescrições entre os diferentes períodos estudados revelaram um aumento significativo na conduta adequada para a escolha do antimicrobiano (2010: 83,8%; 2013: 95,7%; e 2015: 100%), via de administração (2010: 97%; 2013: 100%; e 2015: 100%) e intervalo (2010: 91,9%; 2013: 95,7%; e 2015: 100%), após a introdução do protocolo, e novamente após a implementação do aplicativo com orientações sobre tratamento antimicrobiano. Conclusão O uso de aplicativos móveis específicos deve ser incentivado para obter melhor qualidade e precisão nas prescrições e incluir estratégias que não apenas reduzam o risco de resultados negativos, mas que também melhorem a qualidade dos cuidados e do tratamento para manter a saúde conjunta da mãe e do bebê.

Oral desensitization to penicillin for the treatment of pregnant women with syphilis: A successful program / Dessensibilização oral à penicilina para o tratamento da sífilis na gestação: um exemplo de experiência bem-sucedida

Abstract Gestational syphilis is a prevalent disease in Brazil and other low and medium income countries. Desensitization to penicillin is recommended for pregnant women with syphilis who are allergic to β-lactams. This is a descriptive study utilizing outpatient medical records from 2011 to 2015 from a mother and child hospital that is part of the national healthcare system in the South of Brazil, which performs an average of 3,600 birth assistances per year. All cases of pregnant women with syphilis and presumptive diagnosis of β-lactam allergy during the study period were included. The patients referred for desensitization originated from the hospital prenatal care service, as well as from municipal/state antenatal care services. Oral desensitization was performed in the obstetric emergency room, and adult and pediatric intensive care units were available at all times. Ten patients underwent desensitization during the period of study. Personal history of urticaria was the most common reaction that demanded desensitization. All patients tolerated the procedure well, and showed no adverse reactions.We report a successful program of oral desensitization. None of the patients presented adverse reactions or complications, a fact that corroborates the feasibility and safety of the desensitization protocol. Oral administration of penicillin comes at a low cost, and optimizes the use of time and resources.

Resumo A sífilis gestacional é uma doença prevalente no Brasil e em outros países de baixa e média renda. A dessensibilização à penicilina é recomendada para mulheres grávidas com sífilis que são alérgicas a β-lactâmicos. Este é um estudo descritivo que utiliza registros médicos de 2011 a 2015 de um hospital público materno-fetal do Sul do Brasil com média de 3.600 partos anuais. Foram incluídos todos os casos de gestantes com sífilis e diagnóstico presuntivo de alergia a β-lactâmicos durante o período de estudo. As pacientes encaminhadas para dessensibilização originaram-se do serviço pré-natal hospitalar internamente, bem como dos serviços municipais e estaduais de atendimento pré-natal. A dessensibilização oral foi realizada na sala de emergência obstétrica, e a unidade de terapia intensiva estava disponível em todos os momentos para o atendimento de possíveis intercorrências. Dez pacientes foram submetidas à dessensibilização durante o período estudado. História pessoal de urticária foi a reação mais comum que exigiu dessensibilização à penicilina. Todas as pacientes toleraram bem o procedimento, e não mostraram reações adversas. Relatamos no presente manuscrito um programa bem-sucedido de dessensibilização oral à penicilina. Nenhuma das pacientes apresentou reações adversas ou complicações, corroborando a viabilidade e segurança do protocolo de dessensibilização. A administração oral de penicilina tem baixo custo, e otimiza o uso de tempo e recursos para o tratamento adequado de sífilis gestacional no cenário apresentado.

Oral Desensitization to Penicillin for the Treatment of Pregnant Women with Syphilis: A Successful Program.

Gestational syphilis is a prevalent disease in Brazil and other low and medium income countries. Desensitization to penicillin is recommended for pregnant women with syphilis who are allergic to ß-lactams. This is a descriptive study utilizing outpatient medical records from 2011 to 2015 from a mother and child hospital that is part of the national healthcare system in the South of Brazil, which performs an average of 3,600 birth assistances per year. All cases of pregnant women with syphilis and presumptive diagnosis of ß-lactam allergy during the study period were included. The patients referred for desensitization originated from the hospital prenatal care service, as well as from municipal/state antenatal care services. Oral desensitization was performed in the obstetric emergency room, and adult and pediatric intensive care units were available at all times. Ten patients underwent desensitization during the period of study. Personal history of urticaria was the most common reaction that demanded desensitization. All patients tolerated the procedure well, and showed no adverse reactions. We report a successful program of oral desensitization. None of the patients presented adverse reactions or complications, a fact that corroborates the feasibility and safety of the desensitization protocol. Oral administration of penicillin comes at a low cost, and optimizes the use of time and resources.

A sífilis gestacional é uma doença prevalente no Brasil e em outros países de baixa e média renda. A dessensibilização à penicilina é recomendada para mulheres grávidas com sífilis que são alérgicas a ß-lactâmicos. Este é um estudo descritivo que utiliza registros médicos de 2011 a 2015 de um hospital público materno-fetal do Sul do Brasil com média de 3.600 partos anuais. Foram incluídos todos os casos de gestantes com sífilis e diagnóstico presuntivo de alergia a ß-lactâmicos durante o período de estudo. As pacientes encaminhadas para dessensibilização originaram-se do serviço pré-natal hospitalar internamente, bem como dos serviços municipais e estaduais de atendimento pré-natal. A dessensibilização oral foi realizada na sala de emergência obstétrica, e a unidade de terapia intensiva estava disponível em todos os momentos para o atendimento de possíveis intercorrências. Dez pacientes foram submetidas à dessensibilização durante o período estudado. História pessoal de urticária foi a reação mais comum que exigiu dessensibilização à penicilina. Todas as pacientes toleraram bem o procedimento, e não mostraram reações adversas. Relatamos no presente manuscrito um programa bem-sucedido de dessensibilização oral à penicilina. Nenhuma das pacientes apresentou reações adversas ou complicações, corroborando a viabilidade e segurança do protocolo de dessensibilização. A administração oral de penicilina tem baixo custo, e otimiza o uso de tempo e recursos para o tratamento adequado de sífilis gestacional no cenário apresentado.

Hiv and hepatitis c virus coinfection. Who is this patient today? / Coinfecção por HIV e o vírus da hepatite C. Qual o perfil deste paciente hoje?

ABSTRACT Background - The increase in the survival following the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has seen the emergence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, renal and cardiovascular diseases as important morbidity and mortality causes together with HIV. Objective - The present study aimed to investigate the differences between HIV/hepatitis C virus coinfected and HIV-monoinfected regarding demographic and clinical aspects from a HIV/AIDS clinic in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Methods - Review of medical records of 1,030 HIV infected individuals aged 18 years or more in an urban HIV/AIDS clinic based in Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil. Clinical and demographical Data were collected from the records of the patients attended between March 2008 and December 2012. Results - The present study is a cross-sectional study among HIV-infected patients attended at a public HIV/AIDS clinic in Porto Alegre, Brazil. The prevalence of hepatitis C virus in the present study cohort was 11.8% (CI 95%: 9.9%-13.8%). Hypertension and pathological proteinuria were more common in the coinfected compared to monoinfected group. By the other hand, dyslipidemia were more common among monoinfected patients. There was no difference between the groups regarding CD4+ count or HIV-RNA. Variables significant in the univariate analysis with P<0.05 were further analyzed using a Poisson regression model with robust variance. Coinfected were likely to be older, with lower lipid levels and higher prevalence of pathological proteinuria compared to HIV-monoinfected patients. Although coinfected patients had higher prevalence of tenofovir-based regimen, there was a strong association between hepatitis C virus individuals to pathological proteinuria and dyslipidemia. Conclusion - Clinicians should recognize that coinfected and monoinfected individuals are different groups regarding the traditional and HIV-related risk factors and should be managed and screened individually in order to prevent cardiovascular and renal complications.

RESUMO Contexto - O aumento da sobrevida após a introdução da terapia antirretroviral nos pacientes vivendo com HIV tem como consequência o aparecimento de doenças emergentes nestes pacientes, como a hepatite pelo vírus C, doenças renais e cardiovasculares. Objetivo - O presente estudo tem como objetivo investigar as diferenças entre monoinfectados por HIV e coinfectados por HIV/virus da hepatite C, considerando aspectos demográficos e clínicos de pacientes atendidos em uma clínica de HIV/AIDS em Porto Alegre, Brasil. Métodos - Revisão de prontuários médicos de 1.030 indivíduos vivendo com HIV em uma clínica especializada em Porto Alegre, Brasil. Dados clínicos e demográficos foram coletados a partir dos registros dos pacientes atendidos entre março de 2008 e dezembro de 2012 na referida clínica. Resultados - O presente estudo é um estudo transversal com indivíduos vivendo com HIV, atendidos em um serviço municipal de HIV/AIDS em Porto Alegre, Brasil. A prevalência de hepatite pelo vírus C na presente coorte de estudo foi 11,8% (IC 95%: 9,9%-13,8%). Hipertensão e proteinúria patológica eram ocorrências mais comuns em coinfectados do que monoinfectados. Por outro lado, dislipidemia foi mais comuns entre monoinfectados. Não houve diferença entre os grupos quanto contagem de linfócitos CD4 totais ou HIV-RNA. Variáveis significativas na análise univariada com P<0,05 foram ainda analisadas usando um modelo de regressão de Poisson com variância robusta. Coinfectados eram mais velhos, com os níveis de lipídios mais baixos e maior prevalência de proteinúria patológica em comparação com indivíduos monoinfectados. Apesar de os coinfectados apresentarem maior prevalência de estarem em uso de regime contendo tenofovir, houve uma forte associação dos indivíduos infectados pelo vírus da hepatite C com proteinúria patológica e ausência de dislipidemia. Conclusão - Clínicos devem reconhecer que coinfectados e monoinfectados pertencem a grupos diferentes quanto aos fatores de risco tradicionais e aqueles associados ao HIV, devendo estes serem manejados e rastreados de forma individual, para prevenir complicações cardiovasculares e renais.

HIV AND HEPATITIS C VIRUS COINFECTION. WHO IS THIS PATIENT TODAY?

BACKGROUND: - The increase in the survival following the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has seen the emergence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, renal and cardiovascular diseases as important morbidity and mortality causes together with HIV. OBJECTIVE: - The present study aimed to investigate the differences between HIV/hepatitis C virus coinfected and HIV-monoinfected regarding demographic and clinical aspects from a HIV/AIDS clinic in Porto Alegre, Brazil. METHODS: - Review of medical records of 1,030 HIV infected individuals aged 18 years or more in an urban HIV/AIDS clinic based in Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil. Clinical and demographical Data were collected from the records of the patients attended between March 2008 and December 2012. RESULTS: - The present study is a cross-sectional study among HIV-infected patients attended at a public HIV/AIDS clinic in Porto Alegre, Brazil. The prevalence of hepatitis C virus in the present study cohort was 11.8% (CI 95%: 9.9%-13.8%). Hypertension and pathological proteinuria were more common in the coinfected compared to monoinfected group. By the other hand, dyslipidemia were more common among monoinfected patients. There was no difference between the groups regarding CD4+ count or HIV-RNA. Variables significant in the univariate analysis with P<0.05 were further analyzed using a Poisson regression model with robust variance. Coinfected were likely to be older, with lower lipid levels and higher prevalence of pathological proteinuria compared to HIV-monoinfected patients. Although coinfected patients had higher prevalence of tenofovir-based regimen, there was a strong association between hepatitis C virus individuals to pathological proteinuria and dyslipidemia. CONCLUSION: - Clinicians should recognize that coinfected and monoinfected individuals are different groups regarding the traditional and HIV-related risk factors and should be managed and screened individually in order to prevent cardiovascular and renal complications.

Proteinuria is common among HIV patients: what are we missing?

OBJECTIVES: HIV-related renal diseases are the leading causes of chronic kidney diseases worldwide. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of pathological proteinuria and its risk factors among HIV patients. METHODS: A review of the medical records of 666 HIV-infected individuals aged 18 years or older in an urban HIV/AIDS clinic based in Porto Alegre in southern Brazil. Overt proteinuria was defined as a protein-to-creatinine ratio greater than 150 mg/g according to Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes. RESULTS: The prevalence of pathological proteinuria in the present study cohort was 20%. Characteristics associated with pathological proteinuria after univariate analysis included alcohol abuse, hepatitis C virus coinfection, the occurrence of diabetes and therapy including tenofovir. Adjusted residuals analysis indicated an association between pathological proteinuria and both a CD4 lymphocyte count below 200 cells/mm3 and a viral load higher than 1000 copies/mL. Additionally, an absence of pathological proteinuria was associated with a CD4 lymphocyte count higher than 500 cells/mm3. After adjustment for variables with p<0.2 in the univariate analysis using a Poisson regression model, tenofovir-containing regimens and a CD4 lymphocyte count below 200 cells/mm3 were significantly associated with pathological proteinuria. CONCLUSION: The risk of chronic kidney diseases in this large contemporary cohort of HIV-infected individuals appeared to be attributable to a combination of HIV-related risk factors. In addition to the traditional risk factors cited in the literature, both regimens containing tenofovir and HIV disease severity seem to be associated with chronic kidney diseases in patients with HIV. Assessment of proteinuria constitutes a novel method for chronic kidney disease staging in HIV-infected individuals and may be effectively used to stratify the risk of progression to end-stage renal disease.

Proteinuria is common among HIV patients: what are we missing?

OBJECTIVES:HIV-related renal diseases are the leading causes of chronic kidney diseases worldwide. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of pathological proteinuria and its risk factors among HIV patients.METHODS:A review of the medical records of 666 HIV-infected individuals aged 18 years or older in an urban HIV/AIDS clinic based in Porto Alegre in southern Brazil. Overt proteinuria was defined as a protein-to-creatinine ratio greater than 150 mg/g according to Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes.RESULTS:The prevalence of pathological proteinuria in the present study cohort was 20%. Characteristics associated with pathological proteinuria after univariate analysis included alcohol abuse, hepatitis C virus coinfection, the occurrence of diabetes and therapy including tenofovir. Adjusted residuals analysis indicated an association between pathological proteinuria and both a CD4 lymphocyte count below 200 cells/mm3 and a viral load higher than 1000 copies/mL. Additionally, an absence of pathological proteinuria was associated with a CD4 lymphocyte count higher than 500 cells/mm3. After adjustment for variables with p<0.2 in the univariate analysis using a Poisson regression model, tenofovir-containing regimens and a CD4 lymphocyte count below 200 cells/mm3 were significantly associated with pathological proteinuria.CONCLUSION:The risk of chronic kidney diseases in this large contemporary cohort of HIV-infected individuals appeared to be attributable to a combination of HIV-related risk factors. In addition to the traditional risk factors cited in the literature, both regimens containing tenofovir and HIV disease severity seem to be associated with chronic kidney diseases in patients with HIV. Assessment of proteinuria constitutes a novel method for chronic kidney disease staging in HIV-infected individuals and may be effectively used to stratify the risk of progression to end-stage renal disease.

Hypertension--an emerging cardiovascular risk factor in HIV infection.

Patients with HIV may have an increased risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for hypertension in a population of HIV-infected patients at an HIV/AIDS clinic in southern Brazil. We reviewed medical records of 1009 HIV-infected patients aged 18 years or more in an urban HIV/AIDS clinic based in Porto Alegre, southern Brazil. Hypertension was defined according to the Eighth Joint National Committee criteria. The prevalence of hypertension in this study cohort was 22.5% (95% confidence interval, 20%-25.2%). Individuals were significantly older in the hypertensive group (P < .001). After adjustment using a Poisson regression model of all variables that presented P < .2 in the univariate analysis, the variables that were significantly associated with hypertension were only age ≥40 years and obesity. Also in this setting, dyslipidemia (P = .068) showed a tendency of association with hypertension. Compared with HIV-infected persons aged 18-39 years, those aged 40-59 years presented a 2-fold higher prevalence of hypertension (95% confidence interval, 1.2-3.3).The present study showed a high prevalence of hypertension among HIV-infected persons, similar to other studies, ranging from 13% to 45%, and also similar to the HIV-negative general population. Age and obesity were the factors associated with hypertension. Finally, the present study indicates a similar pattern of behavior and comorbidities for HIV-positive and -negative patients in relation to hypertension.

Risk factors for surgical site infection following cesarean section in a Brazilian Women's Hospital: a case-control study

The present study evaluated patients with diagnosis of surgical site infection (SSI) following cesarean section and their controls to determinate risk factors and impact of antibiotic prophylaxis on this condition. Methods: All cesareans performed from January 2009 to December 2012 were evaluated for SSI, based on criteria established by CDC/NHSN. Control patients were determined after inclusion of case patients. Medical records of case and control patients were reviewed and compared regarding sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Results: Our study demonstrated an association following univariate analysis between post-cesarean SSI and number of internal vaginal examinations, time of membrane rupture, emergency cesarean and improper use of antibiotic prophylaxis. This same situation did not repeat itself in multivariate analysis with adjustment for risk factors, especially with regard to antibiotic prophylaxis, considering the emergency cesarean factor only. Conclusion: The authors of the present study not only question surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis use based on data presented here and in literature, but suggest that the prophylaxis is perhaps indicated primarily in selected groups of patients undergoing cesarean section. Further research with greater number of patients and evaluated risk factors are fundamental for better understanding of the causes and evolution of surgical site infection after cesarean delivery. .

Urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio versus 24-h proteinuria in the screening for nephropathy in HIV patients.

To determine the correlation between protein-to-creatinine ratio and 24-h urinary protein, proteinuria was measured in 45 patients attending a public HIV clinic in Porto Alegre, Brazil, using 24-h urinary protein excretion (24hUP) and urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio. Spearman's correlation test was done to evaluate the association between spot protein-to-creatinine ratio and 24hUP. The limits of agreement between the two methods were analysed by the Bland-Altman method. For protein excretion <1 g/day, limits (95%) of agreement of protein-to-creatinine ratio and 24hUP were +0.112 and -0.097 g/day. A strong correlation (r = 0.957) was found between protein-to-creatinine ratio and 24hUP excretion. The conclusion is that the protein-to-creatinine ratio in spot urine specimens is an accurate, convenient and reliable screening method to estimate the urinary protein excretion in HIV patients to detect abnormal urinary protein loss. Further studies are required to evaluate renal disease in HIV patients with chronic renal disease and higher urinary protein excretion.

Risk factors for surgical site infection following cesarean section in a Brazilian Women's Hospital: a case-control study.

UNLABELLED: The present study evaluated patients with diagnosis of surgical site infection (SSI) following cesarean section and their controls to determinate risk factors and impact of antibiotic prophylaxis on this condition. METHODS: All cesareans performed from January 2009 to December 2012 were evaluated for SSI, based on criteria established by CDC/NHSN. Control patients were determined after inclusion of case patients. Medical records of case and control patients were reviewed and compared regarding sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: Our study demonstrated an association following univariate analysis between post-cesarean SSI and number of internal vaginal examinations, time of membrane rupture, emergency cesarean and improper use of antibiotic prophylaxis. This same situation did not repeat itself in multivariate analysis with adjustment for risk factors, especially with regard to antibiotic prophylaxis, considering the emergency cesarean factor only. CONCLUSION: The authors of the present study not only question surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis use based on data presented here and in literature, but suggest that the prophylaxis is perhaps indicated primarily in selected groups of patients undergoing cesarean section. Further research with greater number of patients and evaluated risk factors are fundamental for better understanding of the causes and evolution of surgical site infection after cesarean delivery.