Calidad fisicoquímica y microbiológica del agua de piscinas de dos complejos recreacionales del Estado Zulia / Physicochemical and microbiological quality of swimming pool water of two recreational complexes in Zulia State

La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo analizar la calidad fisicoquímica y microbiológica del agua de piscinas de dos complejos recreacionales ubicados al oeste de la ciudad de Maracaibo, estado Zulia, de acuerdo con lo establecido en las normas sanitarias venezolanas (Gacetas Oficiales 4044 y 36395). Se realizó un muestreo en veinte (20) piscinas destinadas a actividades recreativas ubicadas en dos complejos. Los parámetros que se midieron para analizar la calidad sanitaria del agua de piscinas fueron: color verdadero, conductividad eléctrica, sólidos totales, sólidos disueltos totales, turbidez, alcalinidad total, cloro libre residual, dureza total, pH, coliformes totales, coliformes fecales y organismos heterótrofos. Los parámetros fisicoquímicos sólidos disueltos, turbidez y color verdadero presentaron concentraciones promedios menores a los establecidos por las normas sanitarias vigentes; sin embargo, los valores promedios de cloro residual y pH se encontraron fuera de los rangos recomendados. Los parámetros microbiológicos mostraron que un 30% de las piscinas analizadas presentaron un valor promedio de organismos heterótrofos de 1107 UFC/mL, mayor al límite establecido por la normativa venezolana. Con respecto a los coliformes, un 75 y 60% de las piscinas presentaron al menos un tubo positivo durante la prueba de coliformes totales y fecales, respectivamente.

The present study had as objective to analyze the quality physical-chemical and microbiological of the water of swimming pools of two recreational complexes located in west of the city of Maracaibo, Zulia state, in accordance with the established in the sanitary Venezuelan procedure, the official gazettes 4044, and 36395. Sampling was conducted in twenty (20) aimed at recreational pools located on two recreational complex. The parameters were measured to analyze the quality of water in swimming pools were true color, electrical conductivity, total solids, total dissolved solids, turbidity, total alkalinity, residual free chlorine, total hardness, pH, total coliforms, fecal coliforms and heterotrophic organismes. The physicochemical parameters: dissolved solids, turbidity and electrical conductivity presented average concentrations less than those established by the sanitary standards; however, the mean values of residual chlorine and pH were found outside the recommended ranges. The microbiological tests showed that 30% of the pools tested had an average value of heterotrophic organisms of 107 CFU / mL, higher than the limit set by Venezuelan law. 75 and 60% of the pools presented at least one positive test tube for total and fecal coliforms, respectively

Hepatitis B virus prevalence and vaccination response in health care workers and students at the Federal University of Bahia, Brazil.

UNLABELLED: BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE FOR THE STUDY: Hepatitis B (HB) is one of the most prevalent occupational infections in health attendance environments. According to the Brazil Ministry of Health, health professionals must be vaccinated against the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and provide laboratory proof of immunization. AIMS: To evaluate the seroprevalence of HBV infection and to analyze the response to vaccine by measuring serum antibodies against HBV surface antigen (anti-HBs) levels in a sample of students and health professionals at the Federal University of Bahia. RESULTS: As part of this cross-sectional study, a campaign against occupational HB was launched in 2007 and vaccination and blood samples were collected for analysis of the following serological markers: HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HBs (measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay) and total antibodies against HBV core antigen (anti-HBc). The study sample comprised 766 people. Global seropositivity for HBV was 1.7%: 0.5% in the students and 8.8% in the professionals. In a group of volunteers, a serological profile compatible with postvaccine immunity was shown by 95% of volunteers with proof of vaccination and by 81.8% of volunteers without proof of vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, this study shows that it is important to promote vaccination campaigns and improve knowledge and awareness about HB among health care workers and higher education students.

Anticuerpos antihepatitis A en preescolares no vacunados / Hepatitis antibodics A in not vaccinated preschools

La hepatititis A es una enfermedad infectocontagiosa de alta prevalencia en la infancia. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal prospectivo en 153 niños con el objetivo de determinar el estado serológico para la hepatitis A. En los pacientes seleccionados se descartó que tuvieran la vacuna contra la Hepatitis A o antecedentes de sufrir o haber sufrido la enfermedad. En las muestras de sangre se determinó el estado serológico para la Hepatitis A. 125 muestras fueron seronegativas, lo cual representó el 81.7 por ciento de los casos y 28 muestras seropositivas, todas para IgG, lo que representó el 18,3 por ciento. Con este estudio se resalta el alto porcentaje de preescolares sin anticuerpos contra la enfermedad, por lo que debería promoverse y divulgarse el uso de la vacuna contra la Hepatitis A