Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with coronary disease from a Brazil northeast area.

Background Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most frequent chronic liver injury around the world. It is associated with metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. Objective To evaluate the frequency and relevance of NAFLD in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods Patients from a Brazil Northeast area, who underwent elective coronary angiography (CAG) from 2009 to 2010 were included. All of them had suspicion of CAD. Criteria to CAD: presence of obstructive lesions in the epicardial coronary arteries, or in their major branches. NAFLD criteria: presence of hepatic steatosis on ultrasound; exclusion of other liver diseases; ethanol intake ≤ 20g/day. Statistics analysis included Independent t-test, Mann-Whitney and Pearson's chi-squared test. Multivariate regression analysis measured the relationship between the risk factors and the concomitant presence of CAD and NAFLD. Results A total of 244 patients were evaluated: 63.5% had CAD and 42.2% had NAFLD. NAFLD was observed in 43.9% of the CAD patients. The regression analysis showed that the relationship between CAD and NAFLD was positively correlated with HOMA-IR ≥3.0 or insulin resistance and overweight/obesity. Conclusion NAFLD was frequent among CAD patients; insulin resistance and overweight/obesity were the most relevant risk factors related to the association NAFLD and CAD. The results suggest that patients with CAD should be evaluated for NAFLD.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in patients wih coronary disease from a Braziil northeast area / Doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica em pacientes com doença coronariana de uma área do Nordeste do Brasil

Background Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most frequent chronic liver injury around the world. It is associated with metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. Objective To evaluate the frequency and relevance of NAFLD in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods Patients from a Brazil Northeast area, who underwent elective coronary angiography (CAG) from 2009 to 2010 were included. All of them had suspicion of CAD. Criteria to CAD: presence of obstructive lesions in the epicardial coronary arteries, or in their major branches. NAFLD criteria: presence of hepatic steatosis on ultrasound; exclusion of other liver diseases; ethanol intake ≤ 20g/day. Statistics analysis included Independent t-test, Mann-Whitney and Pearson’s chi-squared test. Multivariate regression analysis measured the relationship between the risk factors and the concomitant presence of CAD and NAFLD. Results A total of 244 patients were evaluated: 63.5% had CAD and 42.2% had NAFLD. NAFLD was observed in 43.9% of the CAD patients. The regression analysis showed that the relationship between CAD and NAFLD was positively correlated with HOMA-IR ≥3.0 or insulin resistance and overweight/obesity. Conclusion NAFLD was frequent among CAD patients; insulin resistance and overweight/obesity were the most relevant risk factors related to the association NAFLD and CAD. The results suggest that patients with CAD should be evaluated for NAFLD. .

Contexto Doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica (DHGNA) é uma das mais frequentes hepatopatias crônicas da atualidade. Associa-se à síndrome metabólica e doenças cardiovasculares. Objetivo Avaliar a frequência e relevância da DHGNA em pacientes com doença arterial coronariana (DAC). Métodos Foram avaliados pacientes de uma área do Nordeste de Brasil, submetidos à angiografia coronariana, com suspeita de DAC, entre 2009-2010. Critérios para DAC: presença de lesões obstrutivas em artérias coronárias epicárdicas ou seus principais ramos. Critérios para DHGNA: esteatose hepática na ultrassonografia; exclusão de outras doenças hepáticas; ingestão de etanol ≤20g/dia. Análise estatística incluiu os testes t, Mann-Whitney e qui-quadrado de Pearson. Análise de regressão multivariada mediu a força da correlação entre fatores de risco e concomitância de DAC e DHGNA. Resultados Foram avaliados 244 pacientes submetidos à angiografia coronariana: 63,5% apresentavam DAC e 42,2% DHGNA. DHGNA foi observada em 43,9% dos doentes com DAC. A análise de regressão mostrou que a possibilidade de ocorrência concomitante de DAC e DHGNA foi positivamente correlacionadas à resistência a insulina e ao sobrepeso/obesidade. Conclusão DHGNA foi frequente entre os pacientes com DAC; resistência à insulina e sobrepeso/obesidade foram os mais relevantes fatores de risco relacionados à associação DHGNA e DAC. Os dados sugerem que pacientes com DAC devem ser avaliados para DHGNA. .

Prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar in the city of Campina Grande, in northeastern Brazil.

There is a clear need to perform epidemiological studies to find the true prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica around the world. The evaluation of this prevalence has been hindered by the existence of two different species which are morphologically identical, but genetically different, namely E. histolytica, which causes amebiasis, and E. dispar, which is non-pathogenic. In Brazil, the E. dispar has been detected in communities in the Southeastern (SE) and Northeastern (NE) regions with poor sanitation. However, individuals infected with E. histolytica have been identified in other regions. There is an absence of reports on the prevalence of these parasites in the state of Paraíba, which also has areas with poor sanitary conditions where a high prevalence of the E. histolytica/E. dispar complex has been detected in children from urban slums. The present study evaluated the prevalence of E. histolytica and E. dispar in 1,195 asymptomatic children between two and 10 years of age, living in a sprawling urban slum in Campina Grande, in the state of Paraíba, in Northeastern Brazil. These children were examined and their feces samples were analyzed microscopically. A total of 553 children tested positive for the E. histolytica/E. dispar complex, and 456 of the positive samples were tested with the E. histolytica II® ELISA kit. All 456 samples were negative for the presence of the adhesin E. histolytica specific antigen. The evidence suggests that in this community E. histolytica is absent and E. dispar is the dominant species.

PREVALENCE OF Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar IN THE CITY OF CAMPINA GRANDE, IN NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL / Prevalência de Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar na cidade de Campina Grande, Nordeste do Brasil

There is a clear need to perform epidemiological studies to find the true prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica around the world. The evaluation of this prevalence has been hindered by the existence of two different species which are morphologically identical, but genetically different, namely E. histolytica, which causes amebiasis, and E. dispar, which is non-pathogenic. In Brazil, the E. dispar has been detected in communities in the Southeastern (SE) and Northeastern (NE) regions with poor sanitation. However, individuals infected with E. histolytica have been identified in other regions. There is an absence of reports on the prevalence of these parasites in the state of Paraíba, which also has areas with poor sanitary conditions where a high prevalence of the E. histolytica/E. dispar complex has been detected in children from urban slums. The present study evaluated the prevalence of E. histolytica and E. dispar in 1,195 asymptomatic children between two and 10 years of age, living in a sprawling urban slum in Campina Grande, in the state of Paraíba, in Northeastern Brazil. These children were examined and their feces samples were analyzed microscopically. A total of 553 children tested positive for the E. histolytica/E. dispar complex, and 456 of the positive samples were tested with the E. histolytica II® ELISA kit. All 456 samples were negative for the presence of the adhesin E. histolytica specific antigen. The evidence suggests that in this community E. histolytica is absent and E. dispar is the dominant species.

A prevalência mundial de Entamoeba histolytica não está bem estabelecida. Este fato deve-se à complicação derivada da existência de duas espécies morfologicamente idênticas, mas geneticamente diferentes: a E. histolytica que causa amebíases e a E. dispar descrita como não patogênica. No Brasil, em comunidades com precárias condições sanitárias e endêmicas para várias parasitoses, localizadas nas regiões Sudeste (SE) e Nordeste (NE), somente E. dispar tem sido encontrada, porém outras regiões, apresentam indivíduos infectados por E. histolytica. Na região agreste do Estado da Paraíba (NE) que apresenta as mesmas precárias condições sanitárias, não tem sido reportada prevalência específica destes parasitos, embora fosse encontrada alta prevalência do complexo E. dispar/E. histolytica em crianças em favela urbana. O presente estudo foi realizado em favela da cidade de Campina Grande, Estado da Paraíba, onde 1.195 crianças de dois a 10 anos sem sintomatologia foram examinadas. Amostras de fezes destas crianças foram analisadas microscopicamente, encontrando-se 553 positivas para o complexo E. dispar/E. histolytica. Do total de amostras positivas, 456 foram submetidas à pesquisa do antígeno especifico para E. histolytica pelo teste ELISA E. histolytica II®,obtendose resultado negativo para a presença do antígeno adesina específico de E. histolytica, em todas as amostras testadas. Os resultados sugerem que nesta comunidade não há infecção por E. histolytica, e que E. dispar é a espécie dominante na região.

Ascaris lumbricoides infection and parasite load are associated with asthma in children.

INTRODUCTION: Association between Ascaris lumbricoides infection and asthma is a controversial subject that has been studied by several authors based on the hygiene theory. This work contributes to better understanding this issue. METHODOLOGY: This was a cross-sectional study involving 1,004 children from a neighborhood of low socioeconomic status in Campina Grande, Paraíba, northeastern Brazil. Asthma was diagnosed using the International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire. Intestinal parasitosis was diagnosed by parasitological examination (the Ritchie technique), and parasite load determined by the Kato-Katz technique. The statistical analysis was descriptive, and hypotheses were tested according to odds ratios. RESULTS: A total of 260 children were infected with A. lumbricoides, and 233 had asthma. Light parasite loads were significantly associated with asthma (wheezing more than three times per year); p = 0.003, OR = 0.41(IC 0.22 - 0.75), while the heavy parasite loads were not; p = 0.002, OR = 2.37(IC 1.35 - 4.18). Similar results were observed in almost all the symptoms of asthma. No association was found with maternal educational level. CONCLUSION: In children living in urban areas of low socioeconomic status, a light parasite load of A. lumbricoides is a protective factor against asthma and its symptoms. Meanwhile, heavy parasite load is a risk factor and contributes to the high prevalence of asthma and its symptoms among these children.

Association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and coronary artery disease / Associação entre doença hepática gordurosa não-alcoólica e doença arterial coronariana

OBJECTIVE: Although some investigations have shown a relationship between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cardiovascular diseases, there are few studies analyzing the relationship between NAFLD and coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this article was to review the relationship between NAFLD and CAD and the methods of diagnosis used to assess such relationship. METHODS: A review was performed using search engines of indexed scientific material, including MEDLINE (by PubMed), Web of Science, IBECS, and LILACS, to identify articles published in Portuguese, English, and Spanish until August, 2012. The studies were eligible if they included the following data: place and year of publication, prevalence and methods used to diagnose NAFLD (ultrasound, computed tomography, nuclear magnetic resonance, or biopsy) and CAD (coronary angiography, or computed tomography), and the exclusion of patients due to alcohol consumption greater than 20 g/day. RESULTS: Ten articles were selected, most of which were cross-sectional studies. The studies mostly observed the association between NAFLD and the presence and severity of CAD. CONCLUSION: The analysis of the review showed that evaluating the existence of NAFLD in patients with CAD from its subclinical form up to the symptomatic clinical form is important due to the higher risk of acute myocardial infarction and consequent increase of mortality.

OBJETIVO: Embora algumas investigações demonstrem uma associação entre a doença hepática gordurosa não-alcoólica (DHGNA) e doenças cardiovasculares, existem poucos estudos analisando a relação entre DHGNA e doença arterial coronariana (DAC). O objetivo deste artigo foi realizar uma revisão sobre a associação entre DHGNA e CAD e os métodos diagnósticos usados para avaliar esta associação. MÉTODOS: Foi realizada uma revisão da literatura utilizando métodos de busca de material científico indexado, incluindo MEDLINE (através do PubMed), Web of Science, IBECS e LILACS, para identificar artigos publicados em português, inglês e espanhol até agosto de 2012. Os estudos eram elegíveis se incluíam os seguintes dados: local e ano de publicação, prevalência e os métodos utilizados para o diagnóstico da DHGNA (ultrassonografia, tomografia computadorizada, ressonância nuclear magnética ou biópsia) e DAC (angiografia coronária ou tomografia computadorizada),e a exclusão de pacientes com consumo de álcool maior do que 20 g/dia. RESULTADOS: Dez artigos foram selecionados, predominando os estudos de corte transversal. Na maioria dos estudos foi observada a associação entre DHGNAeapresença e gravidade da DAC. CONCLUSÃO: A análise da revisão mostra que é importante avaliar a existência de DHGNA em pacientes com DAC desde sua forma subclínica até a forma clínica sintomática, devido ao maior risco de infarto agudo do miocárdio e consequente aumento da mortalidade.

[Poisoning with household cleaning products in a city in Northeast Brazil]. / Avaliação das intoxicações por domissanitários em uma cidade do Nordeste do Brasil.

This study analyzes toxic exposures to household cleaning products based on data from the Center for Notification and Treatment of Poisoning (CEATOX) in Campina Grande, Paraíba State, Brazil, from 2007 to 2010. The data were collected from the reporting forms from the Information System on Notifiable Diseases (SINAN), analyzed with SPSS (Version 17). Chemical identification was performed in urine samples using high-resolution chromatography techniques (GC-MS and HPLC-UV). Six hundred and sixty cases of poisoning were reported, with pesticides as the principal causal agents (42.2%). Poisoning with household cleaning products occurred mainly in children (30.1%) and/or females (55.21%) who were exposed to the product accidentally (55.4%) by the oral route (82%). These data indicate that poisoning with household cleaning products in Campina Grande should be treated with specific prevention and control measures, including evaluation of ease of access to pesticides, in order to reach the goals set by the Brazilian National Health Plan for 2012-2015.

Association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVE: Although some investigations have shown a relationship between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cardiovascular diseases, there are few studies analyzing the relationship between NAFLD and coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this article was to review the relationship between NAFLD and CAD and the methods of diagnosis used to assess such relationship. METHODS: A review was performed using search engines of indexed scientific material, including MEDLINE (by PubMed), Web of Science, IBECS, and LILACS, to identify articles published in Portuguese, English, and Spanish until August, 2012. The studies were eligible if they included the following data: place and year of publication, prevalence and methods used to diagnose NAFLD (ultrasound, computed tomography, nuclear magnetic resonance, or biopsy) and CAD (coronary angiography, or computed tomography), and the exclusion of patients due to alcohol consumption greater than 20g/day. RESULTS: Ten articles were selected, most of which were cross-sectional studies. The studies mostly observed the association between NAFLD and the presence and severity of CAD. CONCLUSION: The analysis of the review showed that evaluating the existence of NAFLD in patients with CAD from its subclinical form up to the symptomatic clinical form is important due to the higher risk of acute myocardial infarction and consequent increase of mortality.

Avaliação das intoxicações por domissanitários em uma cidade do Nordeste do Brasil / Poisoning with household cleaning products in a city in Northeast Brazil / Evaluación de las intoxicaciones por productos domésticos en una ciudad del Nordeste de Brasil

This study analyzes toxic exposures to household cleaning products based on data from the Center for Notification and Treatment of Poisoning (CEATOX) in Campina Grande, Paraíba State, Brazil, from 2007 to 2010. The data were collected from the reporting forms from the Information System on Notifiable Diseases (SINAN), analyzed with SPSS (Version 17). Chemical identification was performed in urine samples using high-resolution chromatography techniques (GC-MS and HPLC-UV). Six hundred and sixty cases of poisoning were reported, with pesticides as the principal causal agents (42.2%). Poisoning with household cleaning products occurred mainly in children (30.1%) and/or females (55.21%) who were exposed to the product accidentally (55.4%) by the oral route (82%). These data indicate that poisoning with household cleaning products in Campina Grande should be treated with specific prevention and control measures, including evaluation of ease of access to pesticides, in order to reach the goals set by the Brazilian National Health Plan for 2012-2015.

Este trabalho analisa as exposições tóxicas a domissanitários registradas pelo Centro de Informação e Assistência Toxicológica de Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brasil, no período de 2007 a 2010. Os dados foram coletados das fichas de notificação do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN), analisados pelo software SPSS (Versão 17), e a identificação química em amostras de urina foi feita por técnicas cromatográficas de alta resolução (CG-MS e HPLC-UV). Foram registradas 660 intoxicações e, considerando as variáveis de estudo, observados como principais agentes causais os agrotóxicos (42,2%).Os intoxicados por saneantes domésticos na região são predominantemente crianças (30,1%), e/ou do gênero feminino (55,21%), que se expõem ao produto acidentalmente (55,4%) pela via oral (82%). Diante desses dados, conclui-se que a intoxicação por domissanitários em Campina Grande e região deve ser tratada com ações específicas de prevenção e controle junto à população, como a avaliação da facilidade de acesso aos venenos agrícolas, para que se consiga atingir as metas estabelecidas pelo Plano Nacional de Saúde, para o quadriênio 2012-2015.

Este trabajo analiza las exposiciones tóxicas a productos domésticos registradas por el Centro de Información y Asistencia Toxicológica de Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brasil, durante el periodo de 2007 hasta 2010. Los datos fueron recogidos mediante la información proporcionada por el Sistema de Notificación de Enfermedades (SINAN) y analizados por el software SPSS (versión 17). La identificación química en muestras de orina fue realizada mediante alta resolución con técnicas de cromatografía (GC-MS y HPLC-UV). Se registraron 660 intoxicaciones y, teniendo en consideración las variables del estudio, se observó que los principales agentes causales eran los pesticidas (42,2%) y que los envenenados por productos domésticos de limpieza en la región eran en su mayoría niños (30,1%) y mujeres (55,21%), expuestos a un producto accidentalmente (55,4%) y por vía oral (82%). Con estos datos, se concluye que la intoxicación por productos de uso doméstico en la región debe ser tratada con acciones específicas para la prevención y el control, como la evaluación de la facilidad del acceso a venenos agrícolas para alcanzar los objetivos establecidos por el Plan Nacional de Salud.

Importância da iniciação científica e projetos de extensão para graduação em medicina / The importance of scientific initiation and extension projects to the undergraduation in medicine

Objetivo: A Universidade tem sua base na indissociabilidade entre Ensino, Pesquisa e Extensão. Logo, objetivou se investigar o nível de conhecimento sobre os programas de pesquisa/extensão, assim como traçar um perfil das principais áreas envolvidas em projetos no Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde na Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG/CCBS) com os discentes do 1º a 8º períodos do curso de Medicina. Metodologia: Realizou-se um estudo descritivo quantitativo de março a abril de 2012. A coleta dedados foi realizada através de questionários versando sobre a participação, o interesse e problemas para ingressar em programas de iniciação científica e extensão. Resultados:Dos 149 estudantes, 18,1% responderam que a falta de tempo foi o principal problema para o ingresso nos programas.A participação de alunos nos programas aumenta ao decorrer do curso enquanto o interesse em participar se faz presente desde os primeiros períodos. 91,4% acreditam que esses projetos contribuem para a sua formação profissional e aponta-se o enriquecimento do currículo como principal foco dos alunos engajados. Em relação às áreas de atuação evidencia-se Ginecologia/Obstetrícia (29,41%) como eixo preferencial para pesquisa e Saúde Coletiva (22,72%) para extensão. Conclusão: Percebe-se que existe uma deficiência em relação ao acesso dos discentes do curso de Medicina às atividades de iniciação científica e extensão.Maior sensibilização e acesso à informação são efetivos no envolvimento de graduandos em atividades extracurriculares.

Objective: University has its basis in the inseparability of Teaching, Research and Extension. Given this, it was aimed to investigate the level of knowledge on research/extension programs, as well as to profile the key areas involved in projects at the Center for Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG / CCBS), withstudents from the 1st to 8th periods of medical school.Material and Methods: We carried out a quantitative descriptive study from March to April 2012. Data collection was conducted by means of questionnaires about participation, interest and problems to join undergraduateresearch and extension programs. Results: Of the 149students, 18.1% referred to lack of time as the main problemfor entering into the programs. The participation of studentsin the programs increases during the course, while interestin participating has been present since the earliest periods. Atotal of 91.4% believe that these projects contribute to their professional training and point curriculum enrichment as themain focus for them to be engaged. Regarding areas ofexpertise, gynecology / obstetrics (29.41%) are the preferredaxis for research as public health (22.72%) is for extension. Conclusion: It is noticed that there is a deficiency in relationto the access of medical students to research and extensionactivities. Increased awareness and access to informationare effective in engaging students to extra-curricular activities.

Atopic dermatitis and ascariasis in children aged 2 to 10 years.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between atopic dermatitis (AD) and ascariasis in 2 to 10-aged children from the neighborhood Pedregal, in the city of Campina Grande, Brazil, an area of low socioeconomic index. METHODS: Cross-sectional study conducted with the use of the standard questionnaire from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) and stool parasitological exam for Ascaris lumbricoides. The dependent variable was AD diagnosis: absent, mild, and severe. Multivariate logistic regression and descriptive analysis of the variable were used. Associations were estimated using relative risk (RR) and odds ratio (OR). The statistical inference was based on 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). RESULTS: We assessed 1,195 children, 612 (51.2%) female. The AD prevalence was 24.6%, and ascariasis prevalence was 26.1%. In the mild AD group of children, 44 (36.7%) were infected by A. lumbricoides while in the severe AD group, 40 (22.9%) had the same geohelminthosis (p = 0.01). Comparing negative cases of AD between mild and severe forms, the infection with A. lumbricoides increased the frequency of mild AD (RR = 1.7; p = 0.009), but not the severe form (RR = 0.86; p = 0.46). Evaluating only the positive cases of dermatitis, 120 mild AD (40.8%) and 176 with severe AD (58.2%), it can be said that the exposure to the parasite decreased the frequency of the severe form of dermatitis (RR = 1.46; p = 0.016). CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of AD and of ascariasis in the population studied. The severe AD is related to lower parasitemia of A. lumbricoides.

Dermatite atópica e ascaridíase em crianças de 2 a 10 anos / Atopic dermatitis and ascariasis in children aged 2 to 10 years

Objetivo: Avaliar a associação entre dermatite atópica (DA) e ascaridíase em crianças de 2 a 10 anos do bairro do Pedregal, Campina Grande (PB), área de baixos indicadores socioeconômicos. Métodos: Trata-se de estudo transversal a partir da aplicação do questionário padrão do International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Chlidhood (ISAAC) e exame parasitológico de fezes para Ascaris lumbricoides. A variável dependente foi o diagnóstico de DA ausente, DA leve e DA grave. Efetuou-se análise de regressão logística multivariada, bem como análise descritiva das variáveis do estudo. As associações foram estimadas por meio de risco relativo (RR) e razão de chances (odds ratio, OR). A inferência estatística foi baseada em intervalos de confiança de 95 por cento (IC95 por cento). Resultados: Foram avaliadas 1.195 crianças, sendo 51,2 por cento (n = 612) do sexo feminino. A prevalência de DA foi de 24,6 por cento, e a de ascaridíase, de 26,1 por cento. Das crianças com DA leve, 44 (36,7 por cento) eram parasitadas pelo A. lumbricoides, enquanto que 40 (22,9 por cento), com DA grave, apresentavam a mesma geo-helmintose (p = 0,01). Comparando-se os casos negativos para DA com os casos leves e graves, constatou-se que a presença de ascaridíase aumentou a ocorrência de dermatite leve (RR = 1,7; p = 0,009), mas não de DA grave (RR = 0,86; p = 0,46). Avaliando-se apenas os casos positivos de dermatite, DA leve (n = 120; 40,8 por cento) e DA grave (n = 176; 59,2 por cento), verifica-se que a exposição parasitária diminui a ocorrência da forma grave (RR = 1,46; p = 0,016). Conclusão: Existe elevada prevalência de DA e de ascaridíase na população estudada. A forma grave de DA está associada com baixa parasitemia de A. lumbricoides.

Objective: To assess the association between atopic dermatitis (AD) and ascariasis in 2 to 10-aged children from the neighborhood Pedregal, in the city of Campina Grande, Brazil, an area of low socioeconomic index. Methods:Cross-sectional study conducted with the use of the standard questionnaire from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) and stool parasitological exam for Ascaris lumbricoides. The dependent variable was AD diagnosis: absent, mild, and severe. Multivariate logistic regression and descriptive analysis of the variable were used. Associations were estimated using relative risk (RR) and odds ratio (OR). The statistical inference was based on 95 percent confidence intervals (95 percentCI). Results: We assessed 1,195 children, 612 (51.2 percent) female. The AD prevalence was 24.6 percent, and ascariasis prevalence was 26.1 percent. In the mild AD group of children, 44 (36.7 percent) were infected by A. lumbricoides, while in the severe AD group, 40 (22.9 percent) had the same geohelminthosis (p = 0.01). Comparing negative cases of AD between mild and severe forms, the infection with A. lumbricoides increased the frequency of mild AD (RR = 1.7; p = 0.009), but not the severe form (RR = 0.86; p = 0.46). Evaluating only the positive cases of dermatitis, 120 mild AD (40.8 percent) and 176 with severe AD (58.2 percent), it can be said that the exposure to the parasite decreased the frequency of the severe form of dermatitis (RR = 1.46; p = 0.016). Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of AD and of ascariasis in the population studied. The severe AD is related to lower parasitemia of A. lumbricoides.

Avaliação histológica de peles de caprinos em idades diferenciadas / Histological evaluation of goat's hair at different ages

Objetivando-se analisar a pele de caprinos, identificando as diferenças estruturais histológicas, utilizou-se 16 animais machos mestiços da raça Alpina, com 4 animais em cada abate a partir dos 180 dias com intervalos entre cada abate de 45 dias. Após o sacrifício foram retiradas amostras de pele das regiões dorsal, paleta, ventre, anca e lateral. Estas amostras foram fixadas em Bouin e processadas histologicamente segundo rotina de inclusão em parafina. Os cortes de 5 mm foram analisados e fotomicrografados. A pele dos caprinos, com 180 dias de vida, mostrou-se com maior espessura da camada termostática da derme, consequentemente com grande densidade de folículos e glândulas. Com o aumento da idade os feixes de fibras do colágeno se desenvolveram aumentando a espessura da camada reticular.