Study of Health in Pomerode (SHIP-Brazil): aims, methodological issues and descriptive results / Estudo Vida e Saúde em Pomerode (SHIP-Brazil): objetivos, aspectos metodológicos e resultados descritivos

Background Few studies compared populations with similar genetic and culture background on different continents with standardized methods. Objective To describe methodological issues of the Study of Health in Pomerode - SHIP-Brazil and some characteristics of the participants of the baseline examination. Design and Setting Prospective, population-based cohort study of a representative sample of residents (aged 20 to 79 years) of Pomerode, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Methods Data for the baseline survey (from 2014 to 2018) were collected through interviews and medical examinations, including socio-demographic and lifestyle information, clinical and subclinical conditions, oral and mental health, among others. Biosamples (blood, urine, stool, and saliva) were collected and stored. Methods of data collection and quality control are described. Preliminary descriptive statistics were performed. Results The response rate was 67.6% (n=2,488 individuals). The Kappa test-retest of some variables varied from 0.54 to 1.0. German culture participants are older (46.5 vs 38.7 years), self-declared white (97.3% vs 82.1%), more frequently never smokers (71.4% vs 66.9%) but had higher risk of consuming alcohol (16.9% vs 13.4%) compared to participants with non-German background. Germans were taller (169 cm vs 166 cm), had greater abdominal circumference among men (101.9 cm vs 97.3 cm). Furthermore, they reported more multimorbidity (56.7% vs 43.6%) , had more arterial hypertension (30.7% vs 18.5%), but less depression (15.4% vs 19,1%) than non-Germans. Conclusions The interaction of genetic and social/environmental issues should be examined to understand the role of risk factors on clinical conditions observed.

Introdução Poucos estudos compararam populações com histórico genético e cultural semelhante em diferentes continentes com métodos padronizados. Objetivos Descrever questões metodológicas do estudo de "Vida e Saúde em Pomerode - SHIP-Brazil" e algumas características dos participantes do exame inicial do estudo. Desenho de estudo e local Estudo de coorte prospectivo de base populacional em amostra representativa de moradores (20 a 79 anos) de Pomerode, Santa Catarina. Métodos As informações para a linha de base (de 2014 a 2018) foram coletadas por meio de entrevistas e exames médicos, incluindo dados sociodemográficos, de estilo de vida, condições clínicas e subclínicas, saúde bucal e mental, entre outros. Amostras biológicas (sangue, urina, fezes e saliva) foram coletadas e armazenadas. A coleta de dados e o controle de qualidade foram descritos. Foram realizadas análises descritivas preliminares. Resultados A taxa de resposta foi de 67,6% (n=2.488 indivíduos). O Kappa teste-reteste de algumas variáveis variou  de 0,54 a 1,0. Os participantes de cultura alemã são mais velhos (46,5 vs 38,7 anos ), autodeclarados brancos (97,3% vs 82,1%), com menor número de fumantes (71,4% vs 66,9%), mas tiveram maior risco de consumir álcool (16,9% vs 13,4%), eram mais altos (169 cm vs 166 cm), tinham maior circunferência abdominal entre os homens (101,9 cm vs 97,3 cm) em comparação com participantes "não-alemães". Pessoas de cultura alemã relataram mais multimorbidade (56,7% vs 43,6%), apresentavam mais hipertensão arterial (30,7% vs 18,5%), mas menos depressão (15,4% vs 19,1%). Conclusões A interação genética e social/ambiental devem ser examinadas para melhor entender o papel desses fatores de risco nas condições clínicas observadas.

Intestinal parasitoses and associated factors in a Brazilian city of German's descendants: a population-based study.

Intestinal parasitoses are a recurrent public health problem in developing countries. Their occurrence is usually associated with poor socioeconomic status and environmental risk factors. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of intestinal parasites and associated risk factors in Pomerode, SC. This was a cross-sectional sample with participants from population-based cohort study SHIP-Brazil (n=2,488). Sociodemographic, lifestyle, and environmental variables were selected from the study database. The stool samples were analyzed by Hoffman, Pons, and Janer, and by Faust methods. We estimated the relative frequency of parasites and its association to the study variable was estimated by prevalence ratio (PR) in a Poisson regression model. Among those who provided stool sample (n=797), the prevalence was 10.8% (95% CI 8.6 to 13.4). Endolimax nana, 4.8% (95% CI, 3.5-6.7) was the most frequent parasite, followed by Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, 1.7% (95% CI, 0.8-3.3), Urbanorum spp., 1.6% (95% CI, 1.0-2.7). Men (PR=1.9 95% CI 1.2-2.9), olders (PR=1.7 95% CI 1.0-2.8), non-white (PR=1.9 95% CI 1.2-3.0), living in high-risk dwelling areas (PR=1.8 95% CI 1.4-2.4) were associated with elevated proportions of parasitosis in the adjusted model. The current study found a low frequency of intestinal parasitoses in Pomerode, SC, Brazil. This frequency was higher among males, older, who live alone, non-white, in low SES, and living in high-risk dwelling areas.

Anti-Hepatitis B Antibody Levels In Immunized Medical Students: Are They At Risk?

INTRODUCTION: Medical students have an occupational risk for hepatitis B (HB). This study sought to determine anti-HBs and anti-HBc IgG levels in vaccinated students, check their seroconversion, and correlate this with vaccination. METHODS: One hundred and forty-three students' blood samples and their vaccination schedules were analyzed. RESULTS: 65.7% were positive for anti-HBs; however, anti-HBs was absent in 34.3%. Only two samples were positive for anti-HBc IgG. CONCLUSIONS: More than 30% of students did not have minimum protective levels. Comparing HBV vaccination and anti-HBs reactivity, the majority of reactive individuals received their last dose within the past 16 years.

Anti-hepatitis B antibody levels In immunized medical students: are they at risk?

Abstract INTRODUCTION Medical students have an occupational risk for hepatitis B (HB). This study sought to determine anti-HBs and anti-HBc IgG levels in vaccinated students, check their seroconversion, and correlate this with vaccination. METHODS One hundred and forty-three students' blood samples and their vaccination schedules were analyzed. RESULTS: 65.7% were positive for anti-HBs; however, anti-HBs was absent in 34.3%. Only two samples were positive for anti-HBc IgG. CONCLUSIONS More than 30% of students did not have minimum protective levels. Comparing HBV vaccination and anti-HBs reactivity, the majority of reactive individuals received their last dose within the past 16 years.

Influence of comorbidities on CD4+/CD8+ proportion in HIV-positive patients in Blumenau, State of Santa Catarina: a retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: The objective was to identify comorbidities related to HIV-positive patients in Blumenau, State of Santa Catarina. METHODS: A retrospective, descriptive observational design study which analyzed data from 424 patients assisted by the sexually transmitted disease/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (STD/AIDS) Specialized Care Service (SCS). RESULTS: Of 424 medical records analyzed, 388 patients presented CD4+/CD8+ ratios lower than 1. The most prevalent comorbidities were smoking, depression, alcoholism, and herpes zoster infection, in males and females. CONCLUSIONS: The most relevant comorbidity in both genders was herpes zoster, an important marker of immunity in patients. The lowest mean was observed among patients with neurotoxoplasmosis.

Influence of comorbidities on CD4+/CD8+ proportion in HIV-positive patients in Blumenau, State of Santa Catarina: a retrospective study

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The objective was to identify comorbidities related to HIV-positive patients in Blumenau, State of Santa Catarina. METHODS: A retrospective, descriptive observational design study which analyzed data from 424 patients assisted by the sexually transmitted disease/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (STD/AIDS) Specialized Care Service (SCS). RESULTS: Of 424 medical records analyzed, 388 patients presented CD4+/CD8+ ratios lower than 1. The most prevalent comorbidities were smoking, depression, alcoholism, and herpes zoster infection, in males and females. CONCLUSIONS: The most relevant comorbidity in both genders was herpes zoster, an important marker of immunity in patients. The lowest mean was observed among patients with neurotoxoplasmosis.

Immune memory response induced in vitro by recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen challenge 13-18 years after primary vaccination.

The question of whether booster doses are required to maintain long-term protection against hepatitis B virus (HBV) after primary vaccination remains to be determined. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the immune memory responses to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) challenge in vaccinated individuals through an in vitro-specific stimulation assay. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (4 × 10(6) cells/ml) were stimulated with 50 ng/ml of recombinant HBsAg. In vitro anamnestic antibody responses, as shown by detection of high avidity antibody in culture supernatants, were found 13-18 years after primary vaccination and were not correlated with serum antibodies (r = -0.177; P = 0.377). In addition, the findings from this study indicate that immune memory against hepatitis B was well preserved in 40.0% and 60.0% of vaccinees with anti-HBs levels less than 10 IU/L or lacking serum antibodies altogether, respectively. In conclusion, the data suggest the presence of immunological memory in vaccinated individuals, including those who showed anti-HBs <10 IU/L or undetectable antibody.

In vitro lymphocyte stimulation by recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen: a tool to detect the persistence of cellular immunity after vaccination.

The study of the human immune response to hepatitis B virus (HBV) has been hampered by the lack of an adequate model to evaluate the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) specific cell response. Thus, this study was conducted to perform an in vitro analysis of the antigenic properties of recombinant HBsAg and demonstrate the influence of variables such as culture time, antigen concentration and cell density on lymphocyte proliferation. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from the venous blood of vaccinated individuals, and in vitro cellular immune responses were evaluated using an HBsAg-specific proliferation assay. Lymphoproliferative responses were detected in culture systems, despite the lack of serum antibodies. Optimal results were obtained when lymphocytes were stimulated at a seeding density of 4×10(6) cells/mL, with 50 ng/mL of recombinant HBsAg protein vaccine for 3 days. Data from the present study may contribute to the development of an adequate system to evaluate the cellular immune responses to HBsAg in vaccine recipients.