Tuberculosis/COVID-19 co-infection detected in a single sputum sample using a rapid molecular test.

Tuberculosis (TB) and COVID-19 affect the lungs and are transmitted mainly by aerosols or particles of saliva from infected persons. Clinical similarities between diseases can affect correct diagnosis. Individuals belonging to the population deprived of liberty (PDL) are at increased risk of contagion due to precarious sanitary conditions and overcrowded environments. A variety of specimens may be suitable for the diagnosis of COVID-19, using molecular diagnostic techniques; however, there is little data on the analysis of sputum samples with the Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2® for the diagnosis of COVID-19, especially in this population group. The present study reports a case of TB and COVID-19 co-infection detected in sputum from an individual belonging to the PDL. For the detection, it used the GeneXpert platform (Cepheid, USA). Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) was detected using the Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra® cartridge and SARS-CoV-2 was detected using the Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2® cartridge. The genes IS6110 and IS1081 were detected within 80 min indicating the presence of MTC, with no mutations related to resistance to rifampicin. The SARS-CoV-2 E and N2 genes were detected within 45 min. The result was confirmed by RT-qPCR with detection of E, N, and RdRP/S genes in the sputum and nasopharyngeal (NP) specimens. Rapid diagnoses that allow the identification and differentiation of such diseases are important for adequate epidemiological surveillance, isolation of infected individuals, and interruption of the transmission chain. Using the GeneXpert platform, specimens can be tested as soon as they are received, without the need for prior preparation. The US Food and Drug Administration has issued emergency authorization for the use of the Cepheid Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 for the rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 using specimens from a NP or nasal wash/aspirate. The case presented here gains an innovation with the use of the sputum to COVID-19 diagnosis.

Relationship between quality of root canal obturation and periapical lesion in elderly patients: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between quality of root canal obturations and the presence/absence of periapical lesion in elderly patients. METHODOLOGY: This was a systematic conducted by means analysing studies on the quality of root canal obturations and their relationship with periapical health in elderly patients. The methodological procedures were based on Cochrane. The inclusion criteria for selection of the titles were the following: (i) studies in humans; (ii) sample consisting of individuals aged 60 years or older; (iii) intending criteria defined for the evaluation of quality of root canal obturations; (iv) intending criteria defined for the evaluation of periapical health; (v) determination of the relationship between quality of endodontic treatment and presence of periapical lesions; and (vi) articles published between 1st March 2003 and 1st March 2013. RESULTS: A total of 3161 potentially relevant studies were found in three databases chosen for the literature review, with 1669 being repeated and 395 duplicated. Therefore, the abstracts of 1097 studies were read. A total of 1022 studies were excluded, resulting in 75 articles for full analysis. However, no study could be included in the present literature review. CONCLUSION: There is no consensus on the relationship between the quality of root canal obturations and periapical health in older patients.

Tuberculose pulmonar paucibacilar em Centros de Detenção Provisória / Paucibacillary pulmonary tuberculosis in ProvisionalDetention Centers

Cultura de micobactérias proporciona o crescimento de bacilos viáveis, mesmo presentes emescassa quantidade e não detectados pela baciloscopia. Neste estudo foram analisadas as amostrasde escarro que apresentaram baciloscopia negativa e cultura positiva. As amostras foram coletadasde 2008 a 2013, de indivíduos detidos em Centros de Detenção Provisória de Santo André,Mauá e Diadema, Estado de São Paulo. As metodologias utilizadas foram baciloscopia porcoloração Ziehl-Neelsen e cultura pelo Sistema BACTEC MGIT 960 e Ogawa-Kudoh. Dos11.529 exames realizados, 221 (1,9 %) apresentaram baciloscopias negativas e culturas positivas.Dos 221 isolados, 166 (75,1 %) pertenciam ao Complexo Mycobacterium tuberculosis, 21 (9,5 %)micobactérias não membros do Complexo Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MNT), 33 (14,9 %)Mycobaterium sp e uma cultura mista do Complexo M. tuberculosis e M. avium. MNT maisfrequentes foram M. avium (23,8 %) e M. fortuitum (19,0 %). A maioria dos isolados do ComplexoM. tuberculosis (155/166 - 93,4 %) foi sensível aos antimicrobianos. Sete amostras apresentaramresistência à isoniazida e uma apresentou multirresistência à isoniazida e rifampicina. Este estudomostra a importância da realização da cultura em escarros que apresentam baciloscopia negativano diagnóstico da TB e micobacteriose. O tratamento tardio causa a continuidade da transmissãoda doença e agravamento do quadro clínico.

Culture of mycobacteria induces the growth of viable bacillus occurring in small quantity,which are no detectable by bacilloscopy. This study aimed at identifying the mycobacteria isolatesfrom sputum presenting negative bacilloscopy and positive culture. The samples were collectedfrom 2008 to 2013 from criminals of Provisional Detention Centers in Santo André, Mauáand Diadema/SP. Smears were stained by Ziehl-Neelsen staining and the cultures were performedby the BACTEC MGIT 960 system and Ogawa-Kudoh culture medium. Of 11,529 isolates, 221(1.9 %) showed negative bacilloscopy and positive cultures. Of 221 isolates, 166 (75.1 %) belongedto Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, 21 (9.5 %) were nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM),33 (14.9 %) Mycobacterium sp, and one identified as a mixed culture of M. tuberculosis andM. avium complex. The most common NTM species were M. avium (23.8 %) and M. fortuitum(19.0 %). Most of the isolates (155/166-93.4 %) were susceptible to antimicrobial agents.Seven samples were resistant to isoniazid, and one presented multiresistance to isoniazid andrifampicin. This study shows the importance in performing sputum culture, when these samplesare negative on bacilloscopy in diagnosing TB and mycobacteriosis. The treatment delay resultsin the maintenance of disease transmission and worsening of clinical symptoms.

Tuberculose pulmonar paucibacilar em Centros de Detenção Provisória / Paucibacillary pulmonary tuberculosis in Provisional Detention Centers

Cultura de micobactérias proporciona o crescimento de bacilos viáveis, mesmo presentes em escassa quantidade e não detectados pela baciloscopia. Neste estudo foram analisadas as amostras de escarro que apresentaram baciloscopia negativa e cultura positiva. As amostras foram coletadas de 2008 a 2013, de indivíduos detidos em Centros de Detenção Provisória de Santo André, Mauá e Diadema, Estado de São Paulo. As metodologias utilizadas foram baciloscopia por coloração Ziehl-Neelsen e cultura pelo Sistema BACTEC MGIT 960 e Ogawa-Kudoh. Dos 11.529 exames realizados, 221 (1,9 %) apresentaram baciloscopias negativas e culturas positivas. Dos 221 isolados, 166 (75,1 %) pertenciam ao Complexo Mycobacterium tuberculosis, 21 (9,5 %) micobactérias não membros do Complexo Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MNT), 33 (14,9 %) Mycobaterium sp e uma cultura mista do Complexo M. tuberculosis e M. avium. MNT mais frequentes foram M. avium (23,8 %) e M. fortuitum (19,0 %). A maioria dos isolados do Complexo M. tuberculosis (155/166 - 93,4 %) foi sensível aos antimicrobianos. Sete amostras apresentaram resistência à isoniazida e uma apresentou multirresistência à isoniazida e rifampicina. Este estudo mostra a importância da realização da cultura em escarros que apresentam baciloscopia negativa no diagnóstico da TB e micobacteriose. O tratamento tardio causa a continuidade da transmissão da doença e agravamento do quadro clínico.

Culture of mycobacteria induces the growth of viable bacillus occurring in small quantity, which are no detectable by bacilloscopy. This study aimed at identifying the mycobacteria isolates from sputum presenting negative bacilloscopy and positive culture. The samples were collected from 2008 to 2013 from criminals of Provisional Detention Centers in Santo André, Mauá and Diadema/SP. Smears were stained by Ziehl-Neelsen staining and the cultures were performed by the BACTEC MGIT 960 system and Ogawa-Kudoh culture medium. Of 11,529 isolates, 221 (1.9 %) showed negative bacilloscopy and positive cultures. Of 221 isolates, 166 (75.1 %) belonged to Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, 21 (9.5 %) were nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), 33 (14.9 %) Mycobacterium sp, and one identified as a mixed culture of M. tuberculosis and M. avium complex. The most common NTM species were M. avium (23.8 %) and M. fortuitum (19.0 %). Most of the isolates (155/166-93.4 %) were susceptible to antimicrobial agents. Seven samples were resistant to isoniazid, and one presented multiresistance to isoniazid and rifampicin. This study shows the importance in performing sputum culture, when these samples are negative on bacilloscopy in diagnosing TB and mycobacteriosis. The treatment delay results in the maintenance of disease transmission and worsening of clinical symptoms.

HIV type 1 diversity from newly diagnosed patients in Santos metropolitan area/Brazil.

HIV-1 from infected subjects has been characterized in order to provide a more accurate view of the strains that are currently found in a given region. In this report, we focused on characterizing the pol gene diversity obtained from newly diagnosed patients in Santos metropolitan area, Brazil. This region is composed of nine cities and an international port. Analysis of the 33 samples revealed that 22 strains belonged to subtype B, 4 to subtype F, and 2 to subtype C; 5 strains were B/F recombinants. Our results demonstrated that 18.2% of samples were primary antiretroviral resistance genotypic mutations, with high-level resistance to reverse transcriptase inhibitors in both subtypes B and F and in recombinant forms B/F. Our data revealed that the primary antiretroviral resistance genotypic mutations should be carefully investigated in developing countries with widespread access to antiretrovirals, such as Brazil.

HIV type 1 pol gene diversity and antiretroviral drug resistance mutations in Santos, Brazil.

HIV-1 antiretroviral drug resistance mutations in subtype B, F, and recombinants B/F in Santos, Brazil were characterized. We studied 83 samples from individuals enrolled at the Brazilian HIV/AIDS programs from Santos. These patients have been treated with multiantiretroviral therapy. Samples were collected in 2006; RNA was extracted from plasma and used as a target to amplify the pol gene of HIV-1. PCR products were sequenced on both strands, phylogenetic analyses were performed by neighbor-joining, and recombination was evaluated by bootscan. pol gene sequencing of the samples revealed that 54 strains belonged to subtype B, 4 were subtype F, 1 was subtype C, and 24 were B/F recombinants. Recombinant break points in 20 samples are the same identified in CRF28_BF and CRF29_BF. Drug resistance mutations identified in common to subtypes B, F, and recombinants B/F were protease inhibitors M46I/L (29%), I54V (24%), A71V (22%), and V82A/F (31%); reverse transcriptase nucleoside resistance mutations M41L (52%), D67N (30%), K70R (26%), M184V (88%), L210W (29%), T215Y/I/F (65%), and K219Q/E/N (28%); and reverse transcriptase nonnucleoside resistance mutation K103N (52%). Our results suggest that, in general, the same amino acids are emerging in both subtypes B, F, and recombinant forms BF due to the selective pressure of antiretrovirals. Recombinant break points in samples are the same as identified in CRF28_BF and CRF29_BF and are recognized as important for the evolution of the local epidemic.