Prevalência de rubéola nos pacientes atendidos na unidade básica de saúde áurora, Campo Bom, RS / Prevalence of rubella in patients attended at the aurora basic unit health, Campo Bom, RS

Introdução: A rubéola é uma doença exantemática aguda, de origem viral. Sua transmissão ocorre por meio de contato de secreções de vias aéreas de pessoas infectadas ou por transmissão vertical. A síndrome da rubéola congênita (SRC) ocorreem função de infecção materna, durante os três primeiros meses de gestação, quando pode haver a invasão da placenta pelo vírus, com disseminação pelos tecidos embrionários, acarretando aborto espontâneo, natimortos e efeitos congênitos. A determinação dos anticorpos IgG e IgM específicos são muito importantes para o diagnóstico sorológico das infecções pela rubéola congênita pós-natal ou primária. O tratamento é relativo aos sintomas apresentados e o período de gestação da mãe. A vacinação é o procedimentomais eficaz, onde se adquire a munidade, que é duradoura. Objetivos: Verificar a prevalência de rubéola nos pacientes atendidos na Unidade Básica de Saúde (UBS), em Campo Bom, no Rio Grande do Sul (RS), e examinar os fatores de risco da doença e susceptibilidade na população estudada. Metodologia: Estudo transversal, utilizando dados de 94 pacientes atendidos na UBS, em Campo Bom (RS), entre maio de 2005 e maio de 2009. Para a realização dos testes, foram coletadas 5 mL de sangue periféricocom o paciente em jejum. Utilizou-se soro para dosar IgG e IgM antirrubéola, através do teste de ELISA. As amostras foram processadas no Laboratório de Biomedicina do Centro Universitário Feevale, em Novo Hamburgo (RS). Resultados: Dos 94 pacientes com faixa etária dos 2 aos 51 anos, 87 (92,5%) eram do sexo feminino, sendo que, 15destes (17,2%) estavam em período gestacional e 7 (7,4%) eram do sexo masculino. Dos pacientes analisados, 89 (94%) apresentaram IgG positivo. Conclusão: O presente estudo demonstrou que a população avaliada pode ter adquirido imunidade através deinfecção primária ou por vacinação, diminuindo, dessa maneira, o contágio nos grupos de risco

Introduction: Rubella is an acute exanthematous disease of viralorigin. It is transmission occurs through contact of airway secretionsof infected people or by vertical transmission. The congenital rubellasyndrome (CRS) occurs due to maternal infection during the first 3months of pregnancy, can occur when the invasion of the placentaby the virus to spread by the embryonic tissues, leading tomiscarriage, stillbirth and birth defects. The determination of IgGand IgM specific are very important for the serological diagnosis ofcongenital rubella infection by postnatal or primary. The treatmentis on the symptoms and the gestation period of the mother. Sincethe vaccination the most effective procedure, which is acquiredimmunity, which is long lasting. Objectives: To assess theprevalence of rubella in patients enrolled in the Basic Health Unitin Campo Bom, Rio Grande do Sul (RS). To examine the riskfactors and disease susceptibility in the population. Methodology:Cross-sectional study using data from 94 patients treated in theBasic Health Unit in Campo Bom (RS) between May 2005 and May2009. For the tests, were collected 5 mL of peripheral blood withthe patient fasting, serum was used for measuring rubella IgG andIgM by ELISA. The samples were processed at the Laboratory ofBiomedicine in the Feevale University Center in Novo Hamburgo(RS). Results: Of 94 patients, aged from 2 to 51, 87 (92.5%) werefemale, and 15 of these (17.2%) are in the gestational period and 7(7.4%) is male. Of the patients studied, 89 (94%) had positive IgGwhich could mean the effectiveness of public awareness of theneed for prevention of rubella. Conclusion: This studydemonstrates that the study population may have acquired immunitythrough primary infection or through vaccination, decreasing thespread of disease in risk groups.

Cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus cytome and comet assays in peripheral blood lymphocytes of workers exposed to lead considering folate and vitamin B12 status.

In human biomonitoring, factors such as age, gender, smoking habit and alcohol consumption are usually considered and identified as agents that exert an impact on genotoxicity biomarkers. However, as a rule, factors like micronutrient status are not considered in biomonitoring studies. This paper reports on genotoxic damage in Pb-exposed workers using data obtained from the cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) cytome assay and alkaline comet assay with silver staining, considering folate and vitamin B12 nutritional status. Analysis of the results showed that the Pb-exposed group presented a 24-fold higher Pb content in the blood compared to controls. The Pb-exposed workers presented significantly greater micronuclei (MNi) counts (Z=7.9583; p<0.0001) and DNA damage, assessed by the comet assay (DF: Z=7.7056; p<0.0001 and DI: Z=7.4749; p<0.0001), but no correlation with Pb blood concentrations were detected. These two groups did not differ significantly concerning folate and vitamin B12 levels. Regarding folate, it is possible that this similarity is associated with folic acid flour-enrichment, introduced in Brazil in 2004 to prevent neural tube defects. The mean folate level obtained in the Pb-exposed group was 6.18ng/ml. The subgroup of individuals with serum folate levels equal to or higher than the mean presented significantly higher MNi (Z=2.3776; p=0.017) and nucleoplasmic bridge (NPB) frequencies (Z=1.9850; p=0.047) in peripheral blood lymphocytes. A significant positive correlation was observed between the age of Pb-exposed workers and MNi frequencies (Gamma=0.3328; p<0.001), NPBs (Gamma=0.1832; p<0.042) and DNA damage assessed by the comet assay (DF: Gamma=0.1764; p=0.035 and DI: Gamma=0.11852; p=0.028). These findings suggest that high folate levels alone do not guarantee protection against genotoxic damage. Moreover, folic acid supplementation should be studied using more efficient approaches to determine safe amounts and potential deleterious effects.

Prevalência de anemia em trabalhadores expostos ocupacionalmente ao chumbo / Prevalence of anemia in workers with work-related exposure to lead

O chumbo é um dos elementos mais abundantes da natureza. Atualmente o chumbo é muito utilizado na manufatura de baterias, latão e bronze, radiadores, soldas, cabos, tintas, corantes, cerâmicas, munição, entre outros. A intoxicação do chumbo é chamada de saturnismo e está na maioria das vezes relacionada à atividade profissional. O chumbo pode causar alterações neurológicas, hematológicas, renais, cardíacas e reprodutivas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar os níveis sanguíneos de 53 trabalhadores expostos ocupacionalmente ao chumbo, com grupo controle não exposto a agentes químicos ou físicos, avaliando dosagem de chumbo sérico, contagem de eritrócitos, hematócrito, dosagem de hemoglobina e idade. Com relação ao chumbo sérico, dentre o grupo exposto ocupacionalmente ao metal, 20,8 por cento dos trabalhadores apresentavam valores até 40 µg/dL, 35,8 por cento obtiveram resultados entre 40 µg/dL e 60 µg/dL, e 43,4 por cento apresentaram valores de chumbo sérico acima de 60 µg/dL. Já no grupo controle, todas as amostras apresentaram valores abaixo de 40 µg/dL de chumbo sérico. Com relação à hemoglobina, 7,5 por cento dos trabalhadores do grupo controle e 34,0 por cento dos expostos apresentaram valores abaixo de 13 g/dL, com diferença estatisticamente significativa. Os resultados indicam que níveis elevados de chumbo estão relacionados com valores de hemoglobina abaixo dos índices de referência.

Lead is one of the most abundant elements in nature. Currently, it is widely used in the manufacture of batteries, brass and bronze, radiators, solders, cables, paints and dyes, ceramics, and ammunition, among other things. Lead intoxication is called saturnism and is most often related to professional activities. Lead can cause neurological, hematological, renal, cardiac and reproductive disorders. The aim of this study was to compare blood parameters of 53 workers with work-related exposure to lead with a control group of individuals not exposed to chemical or physical agents. Serum lead levels, red blood cell count, hematocrit and hemoglobin levels and age were evaluated. In respect to serum lead levels, of the group with work-related exposure to the metal, 20.8 percent of the workers had values of up to 40 µg/dL, 35.8 percent presented with values between 40 µg/dL and 60 µg/dL and 43.4 percent above 60 µg/dL. In the control group, all samples presented values below 40 µg/dL. A statistically significant difference was observed between the groups, as 7.5 percent of workers in the control group and 34.0 percent of workers with occupational exposure presented with hemoglobin levels lower than 13 g/dL. These results indicate that high levels of lead are related to hemoglobin values below the normal range.

Plumbemia em trabalhadores da indústria de reciclagem de baterias automotivas da Grande Porto Alegre, RS / Blood lead levels in the battery recycling industry of the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre, RS

A reciclagem de baterias pode contaminar o ar, o solo e a água, não só no lugar de processamento, mas também nas regiões circunvizinhas, sendo que os resíduos permanecem no local mesmo após o término da atividade. No presente artigo descrevemos os resultados da avaliação da plumbemia em 53 operários que trabalhavam com reciclagem de baterias automotivas e em 53 indivíduos sem história de exposição. Os dados obtidos foram comparados e discutidos em relação às normas do Ministério do Trabalho (MT) e da Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). A plumbemia no sangue do grupo controle foi de 2,44±1,15 µg/dl e, no grupo exposto, de 59,43±28,34 µg/dl, sendo que 79,2 por cento dos indivíduos mostraram níveis acima do valor de referência (até 40 µg/dl). Estudos recentes recomendam estratégias para prevenir a intoxicação com chumbo: identificação, eliminação ou controle da fonte, monitoração da exposição e respectivos danos e um programa de recompra de baterias usadas das por parte da indústria de origem.

Battery recycling may contaminate soil, air and water not only at the processing site but also in the neighboring areas, inasmuch as the residues remain at the site even after the end of the activity. In the present article, we describe the results of plumbism evaluation in 53 individuals that work with car battery recycling and 53 individuals without history of lead exposure. The obtained data were compared and discussed according to the regulations of Brazilian Ministry of Labor and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). Blood lead levels in the control group were 2.44 ± 1.15 µg/dl and 59.43 ± 28.34 µg/dl in the exposed group. 79.2 percent of the individuals presented levels above the reference value (40 µg/dl). Recent studies recommend strategies to prevent lead intoxication: source identification, control or elimination, monitoring of environmental exposure and hazards and a buy-back program of used batteries by the industry of origin.

Impacto da campanha nacional do desarmamento no número de atendimentos por arma de fogo em serviço de emergência de cidade da região metropolitana de Porto Alegre, Brasil / Impact of the national disarmament campaignin the number of patient admissions due tofirearm injury in the emergency room of a citypart of Porto Alegre’s metropolitan region, Brazil

Investigar o impacto da Campanha Nacional do Desarmamento no número de atendimentospor ferimento por arma de fogo (FAF) em serviço de emergência de cidade da região sul doBrasil e o perfil dos pacientes. Métodos: Estudo de incidências do tipo antes-depois realizadocom todos pacientes atendidos na sala de emergência adulto do Hospital Nossa Senhora dasGraças (HNSG) entre outubro de 2003 e outubro de 2005. Resultados: Foram atendidos 418pacientes por FAF. A média de idade dos pacientes atendidos foi de 27,8 anos. Dos 418 pacientesatendidos, 108 (29%) foram encaminhados ao bloco cirúrgico. A freqüência de atendimentospor arma de fogo no período da noite (19 às 7 horas) foi 2,65 vezes maior do que o períododo dia. Os dias da semana que apresentaram maior número de atendimentos foram o sábado eo domingo, com 23% e 21%, respectivamente. A média mensal de atendimentos antes daCampanha foi de 14,8 e durante foi de 18,4 (p = 0,065). Conclusão: Não foi possível encontraruma redução no número de atendimentos por FAF na sala de emergência adulto do HNSGdevido à Campanha Nacional do Desarmamento.

To investigate the impact of The National Disarmament Campaign in the number of patientadmissions in an emergency room (ER) located in a southern-Brazil city due to firearminjury (FI) and to determine the characteristics of the patients. Methods: Incidence study(before-after study) with the mensal frequency of admissions due to FI from October 2003 toOctober 2005. Results: 418 patients were attended due to firearm injury. The mean age was27,8 years. 108(29%) patients left the ER directly to surgery. The frequency of admissions was2,65 higher at night (19 to 7 A.M). Saturday (23%) and Sunday (21%) were the days of theweek with more admissions. Before the Campaign the monthly average of admissions was 14,8and during the Campaign it was 18,4 (p=0,065). Conclusions: It was not possible to find areduction in the number of admissions due to firearm injury in the adult Nossa Senhora dasGraças Hospital’s ER as a result of the National Disarmament Campaign.

Micronuclei in peripheral blood lymphocytes of workers exposed to lead.

Lead plays an important role in many industrial processes. Although highly useful to man, lead has various types of toxic effects. There is constantly growing evidence of a relationship between the induction of chromosome breaks and an increased risk of onset of cancer. However, available data about the possible genotoxic and carcinogenic action of lead are conflicting. In this report we present the results of studies on lead concentrations in blood and the respective micronucleus frequencies in peripheral blood lymphocytes from workers employed in the recycling of automotive batteries in the surroundings of Porto Alegre, Brazil. We observed that in the occupationally exposed group, both lead concentration in peripheral blood and micronucleus frequency in lymphocytes were significantly higher compared to control (Z=6.35, P<0.0001 and Z=4.47, P<0.0001). The nuclear division index (NDI) values were significantly higher in the control group than in the exposed group (Z=2.13, P=0.0330), indicating a possible effect of Pb on nuclear proliferation. We also detected a negative correlation between micronuclei and progression of nuclear division (tau=-0.312, P=0.0129). There were no changes in micronucleus frequency between smoking and non-smoking workers exposed to lead (Z=0.03, P=0.9790). The only difference found between the groups of smokers and non-smokers was with respect to NDI, whose values were significantly higher among non-smokers (Z=1.98, P=0.0481).