ML Flow serological test: complementary tool in leprosy

Abstract Background The evaluation of household contacts of leprosy cases allows the early diagnosis of new cases. Objective To associate the results of the ML Flow test with the clinical characteristics of leprosy cases and to verify their positivity in household contacts, in addition to describing the epidemiological profile of both. Methods Prospective study with patients diagnosed over the course of one year (n = 26), without prior treatment, and their household contacts (n = 44) in six municipalities in northwestern São Paulo, Brazil. Results There was a predominance of men among the leprosy cases, of 61.5% (16/26); 77% (20/26) were over 35 years old; 86.4% (22/26) were multibacillary; 61.5% (16/26) had a positive bacilloscopy; and 65.4% (17/26) had no physical disability. The ML Flow test was positive in 53.8% (14/26) of the leprosy cases and was associated with those who had a positive bacilloscopy and were diagnosed as multibacillary (p-value <0.05). Among the household contacts, 52.3% (23/44) were women and aged over 35 years; 81.8% (36/44) had been vaccinated with BCG ‒ Bacillus Calmette-Guérin. The ML Flow test was positive in 27.3% (12/44) of household contacts, all of whom lived with multibacillary cases; seven lived with positive bacilloscopy cases and six with consanguineous cases. Study limitations Difficulty in convincing the contacts to undergo the evaluation and collection of the clinical sample. Conclusion The ML Flow test, when positive in household contacts, can help the identification of cases that require more attention by the health team, as it indicates a predisposition to disease development, especially when they are household contacts of multibacillary cases, with positive bacilloscopy and consanguineous. The ML Flow test also helps in the correct clinical classification of the leprosy cases.

ML Flow serological test: complementary tool in leprosy.

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of household contacts of leprosy cases allows the early diagnosis of new cases. OBJECTIVE: To associate the results of the ML Flow test with the clinical characteristics of leprosy cases and to verify their positivity in household contacts, in addition to describing the epidemiological profile of both. METHODS: Prospective study with patients diagnosed over the course of one year (n = 26), without prior treatment, and their household contacts (n = 44) in six municipalities in northwestern São Paulo, Brazil. RESULTS: There was a predominance of men among the leprosy cases, of 61.5% (16/26); 77% (20/26) were over 35 years old; 86.4% (22/26) were multibacillary; 61.5% (16/26) had a positive bacilloscopy; and 65.4% (17/26) had no physical disability. The ML Flow test was positive in 53.8% (14/26) of the leprosy cases and was associated with those who had a positive bacilloscopy and were diagnosed as multibacillary (p-value <0.05). Among the household contacts, 52.3% (23/44) were women and aged over 35 years; 81.8% (36/44) had been vaccinated with BCG ‒ Bacillus Calmette-Guérin. The ML Flow test was positive in 27.3% (12/44) of household contacts, all of whom lived with multibacillary cases; seven lived with positive bacilloscopy cases and six with consanguineous cases. STUDY LIMITATIONS: Difficulty in convincing the contacts to undergo the evaluation and collection of the clinical sample. CONCLUSION: The ML Flow test, when positive in household contacts, can help the identification of cases that require more attention by the health team, as it indicates a predisposition to disease development, especially when they are household contacts of multibacillary cases, with positive bacilloscopy and consanguineous. The ML Flow test also helps in the correct clinical classification of the leprosy cases.

Epidemiological profile and follow-up of patients with pulmonary disease by non-tuberculous mycobacteria in Baixada Santista area, São Paulo.

OBJECTIVE: To present the frequency and species diversity of non-tuberculous mycobacteria, estimate the prevalence of non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease, describe the epidemiological profile, and determine the follow-up of patients with non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease living in a region with a high burden of tuberculosis. METHODS: This a retrospective cohort observational study using data records obtained from the Instituto Adolfo Lutz - Santos and from the São Paulo Sistema de Vigilância de Tuberculose do Estado de São Paulo in the period between 2000 and 2009. The studied variables were: socio-demographic characteristics, current and past history of tuberculosis, aspects related to diagnosis, and treatment and associated diseases. RESULTS: We included 319 non-tuberculous mycobacteria isolates in the study, corresponding to 257 patients. The species Mycobacterium kansasii (28.5%) and Mycobacterium fortuitum (16.6%) presented the higher occurrence. In 10.9% (24) of the patients, there was a criterion for confirming a case of pulmonary disease due to non-tuberculous mycobacteria. In relation to gender and age, male and individuals over 50 years old were the most frequent. Considering the confirmed cases, 47.8% had a past history of tuberculosis. CONCLUSION: The lack of information about the cases is evident, since pulmonary disease due to non-tuberculous mycobacteria is not mandatory. The therapeutic regimen according to the identified species is fundamental for success in combating the infections caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria. Besides that, information about the regional epidemiology of pulmonary disease caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria and the search for associations with other comorbidities are important to establish the correct treatment. In order to improve surveillance of pulmonary diseases by non-tuberculous mycobacteria, we suggest the implantation of a sentinel surveillance and of population-based studies.

Epidemiological profile and follow-up of patients with pulmonary disease by non-tuberculous mycobacteria in Baixada Santista area, São Paulo

ABSTRACT Objective To present the frequency and species diversity of non-tuberculous mycobacteria, estimate the prevalence of non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease, describe the epidemiological profile, and determine the follow-up of patients with non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease living in a region with a high burden of tuberculosis. Methods This a retrospective cohort observational study using data records obtained from the Instituto Adolfo Lutz - Santos and from the São Paulo Sistema de Vigilância de Tuberculose do Estado de São Paulo in the period between 2000 and 2009. The studied variables were: socio-demographic characteristics, current and past history of tuberculosis, aspects related to diagnosis, and treatment and associated diseases. Results We included 319 non-tuberculous mycobacteria isolates in the study, corresponding to 257 patients. The species Mycobacterium kansasii (28.5%) and Mycobacterium fortuitum (16.6%) presented the higher occurrence. In 10.9% (24) of the patients, there was a criterion for confirming a case of pulmonary disease due to non-tuberculous mycobacteria. In relation to gender and age, male and individuals over 50 years old were the most frequent. Considering the confirmed cases, 47.8% had a past history of tuberculosis. Conclusion The lack of information about the cases is evident, since pulmonary disease due to non-tuberculous mycobacteria is not mandatory. The therapeutic regimen according to the identified species is fundamental for success in combating the infections caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria. Besides that, information about the regional epidemiology of pulmonary disease caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria and the search for associations with other comorbidities are important to establish the correct treatment. In order to improve surveillance of pulmonary diseases by non-tuberculous mycobacteria, we suggest the implantation of a sentinel surveillance and of population-based studies.

Mycobacterium leprae: aspectos da resistência aos fármacos na poliquimioterapia / Drug resistance in multidrug therapy for Mycobacterium leprae

Introdução: O diagnóstico da hanseníase possui números significativos que causam preocupação à saúde pública. Os casos de resistência medicamentosa nessa doença se iniciaram em meados dos anos 60 e diante do problema, a Organização Mundial da Saúde instituiu em 1981 a poliquimioterapia, associação dos antibióticos rifampicina, dapsona e clofazimina, tratamento atual de escolha. A resistência aos fármacos na hanseníase é reportada pela literatura, desvelando um obstáculo à sua eliminação. Apresentamos nessa revisão os principais aspectos da resistência medicamentosa no tratamento para hanseníase e seus impactos. Metodologia: Revisão sistemática sobre os aspectos da resistência medicamentosa utilizando a pesquisa exploratória como metodologia de abordagem. Foram pesquisados os termos resistência medicamentosa, hanseníase, recidiva, alterações genéticas e os operadores booleanos "and" e "or" na busca. Resultados e discussão: A dificuldade de tomar a medicação corretamente foi um dos principais fatores que acarretaram resistência do bacilo Mycobacterium leprae aos fármacos. Homens de países norte e sul-americanos e asiáticos foram os mais atingidos por episódios de resistência. A resistência medicamentosa é uma das principais causas de recidivas em hanseníase. O principal fármaco causador de resistência medicamentosa descrito nos trabalhos foi a dapsona (46,6%) e a maioria das alterações genéticas encontradas estão no gene rpoB; 23,2% dos registros relatados foram de resistência secundária aos fármacos e, também, sete casos de resistência múltipla a esses medicamentos. Conclusão: Os principais aspectos da resistência medicamentosa na hanseníase são os equívocos ao ingerir os medicamentos e as alterações genéticas na bactéria. Os impactos causados estão na dificuldade de refazer o tratamento, a possibilidade de nova transmissão e o aparecimento de sintomas mais graves.

Introduction: The diagnosis of leprosy has significant numbers causing public health concern. Reports of drug resistance in this disease begun in the mid-1960s and due to this problem, the World Health Organization instituted a multidrug therapy with rifampicin, dapsone, and clofazimine antibiotic association in 1981, which is currently the first-choice treatment for leprosy. Cases of drug resistance have been reported in literature, revealing an obstacle to the eradication of the disease. This paper has the purpose of presenting the key aspects and impacts of drug resistance in the treatment for leprosy. Methods: Systematic review of the drug resistance aspects using exploratory research as an approach methodology. The authors searched the terms drug resistance, leprosy, recurrence, genetic alterations, and the Boolean operators "and" and "or" between them. Results and discussion: The difficulty in taking the medication correctly was one of the key factors that led to drug resistance for Mycobacterium leprae. Men from North and South American, as well as from Asian countries, were the most affected by episodes of resistance. Drug resistance is one of the main causes of leprosy recurrences. Dapsone was the most frequently identified drug resistance in the studies (46.6%), while most of the genetic alterations were found in the rpoB gene; 23.2% of the cases were from secondary resistance episodes, and seven cases of multiple resistance were reported. Conclusion: The misconceptions when taking the treatment and the Mycobacterium leprae genetic alterations have been described as the key aspects of drugs resistance in leprosy and the impacts caused are the difficulty in redoing the treatment, the possibility of new transmission, and the appearance of more severe symptoms.

Estratégia de contribuição para a educação dos profissionais em hanseníase / Strategy for contributing to the education of professionals regarding leprosy / Estrategia de contribución para la educación de profesionales de la lepra

Objetivos: relatar a estratégia de contribuição para a educação dos profissionais em hanseníase. Método: trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, descritivo, tipo pesquisa-ação, que é uma apropriação coletiva do conhecimento, com a participação de uma enfermeira/pesquisadora e animadora dos Círculos de Cultura, onde se estabelece uma interação com os profissionais de saúde que atuam nos três municípios estudados, sujeitos do estudo, determinando-se a conjugação da investigação com os processos mais amplos da ação educativa. Resultados: percebe-se que capacitar é uma forma de se orientar o caminho a ser seguido. Mostrou-se que o aprender e o ensinar, com o uso da metodologia problematizadora, levam o indivíduo à transformação. Conclusão: observa-se que o círculo de discussão baseado na gestão participativa promove profissionais inovadores e transformadores no cotidiano do trabalho e fornece subsídios para a educação em saúde relacionada à hanseníase.(AU)

Objectives: to report on the strategy for contributing to the education of professionals regarding leprosy. Method: it is a qualitative, descriptive, research-action type study, which is a collective appropriation of knowledge, with the participation of a nurse/researcher and animator of the Circles of Culture, where an interaction is established with the health professionals who work in the three studied municipalities, subjects of the study, determining the conjugation of the investigation with the broader processes of the educational action. Results: it is realized that training is a way to guide the path that must be followed. It has been shown that learning and teaching, with the use of the problematizing methodology, leads the individual to transformation. Conclusion: it is noted that the discussion circle based on participatory management promotes innovative and transformative professionals in everyday work and provides subsidies for leprosyrelated health education.(AU)

Objetivo: informar la estrategia de contribución para la educación de los profesionales de la lepra. Método: es un estudio cualitativo, descriptivo, tipo investigación-acción, que es una apropiación colectiva del conocimiento, con la participación de una enfermera / investigadora y animadora de los Círculos de Cultura, donde se establece una interacción con los profesionales de la salud quienes laboran en los tres municipios estudiados, sujetos del estudio, determinando la combinación de la investigación con los procesos más amplios de acción educativa. Resultados: es evidente que la formación es una forma de orientar el camino a seguir. Se ha demostrado que el aprendizaje y la enseñanza, utilizando una metodología problematizadora, llevan al individuo a la transformación. Conclusión: se observa que el círculo de discusión basado en la gestión participativa promueve profesionales innovadores y transformadores en el trabajo diario y otorga subsidios para la educación en salud relacionada con la lepra.(AU)

Diagnosis of the leprosy laboratory care network in Regional Health Department XV, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. / Diagnóstico da rede de atendimento laboratorial de hanseníase no Departamento Regional de Saúde XV, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo.

OBJECTIVE: To present the situational diagnosis of the leprosy laboratory reference network in the region of São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil. METHODS: This was an evaluation study with a descriptive design. The data were collected by means of an online form filled in by those in charge of the leprosy program in 2018. RESULTS: All 102 municipalities that make up the region provided the requested data, 82.4% (84/102) requested slit-skin smear microscopy and of these 68 received training. Of the total, 11.7% sent slit-skin smears to other laboratories outside the reference network. Only 57.8% (59/102) requested a biopsy, of these 47 had a doctor responsible for taking the biopsy sample and 31 did not send biopsy samples for analysis in the reference network. Lack of an adequate room, few trained professionals, absence of material for transportation and absence of printed test requisitions were described as aspects that hinder leprosy case diagnosis in the region. CONCLUSION: The laboratory network is fragile and needs to be restructured.

Uso de órtese impressa em 3D e tratamento terapêutico ocupacional na rizartrose / Use of 3D printed orthesis and occupational therapeutic treatment in rhizarthrosis

Resumo Introdução A frouxidão ligamentar associada ao estresse mecânico sobre a articulação trapeziometacarpiana do polegar é considerada o principal fator para predispor a rizartrose. Objetivo Avaliar o efeito do uso de uma órtese confeccionada em impressora 3D associada a um programa de reabilitação terapêutico ocupacional sobre a dor, a força de preensão e pinça de pessoas com rizartrose - estágio I e II. Método Estudo de série de casos que utilizou os instrumentos: Dinamometro Jammar®, Preston Pinch Gauge, Escala Visual Analógica da Dor e o questionário Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology. Os participantes foram submetidos a 14 sessões de terapia ocupacional, 2 vezes por semana e ao uso contínuo da órtese. Resultados Participaram 4 mulheres e 2 homens, casados (50%), escolaridade superior completo (50%), destros (83%), média de idade de 54,3 (DP12,01). Os resultados mostraram que a dor, medida pelo EVA, melhorou para 5 (83,3%) participantes, visto que antes do tratamento a dor variou de 3 a 10 e, após, de 0 a 6. A pinça polpa a polpa melhorou em 5 casos, a pinça trípode e a preensão palmar apresentou melhora em 4 casos e a pinça lateral melhorou em 2 casos. Todos os usuários afirmaram estar satisfeitos com a órtese e com os serviços oferecidos e destacaram: "facilidade de uso", "serviços de acompanhamento" e "conforto". Conclusão O uso da órtese confeccionada em impressora 3D associada ao tratamento terapêutico ocupacional mostrou-se eficaz no alívio da dor, na melhora da força e na satisfação dos acometidos pela rizartrose.

Abstract Introduction Ligament laxity associated with mechanical stress on the trapeziometacarpal joint of the thumb is considered the main factor to predispose to rhizarthrosis. Objective To evaluate the effect of using an orthosis made in a 3D printer associated with an occupational therapy rehabilitation program on pain, grip strength, and forceps of people with rhizarthrosis - stage I and II. Method Case series study that used the instruments: Jammar® dynamometer, Preston Pinch Gauge, Visual Analog Pain Scale, and the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology questionnaire. Participants underwent 14 Occupational Therapy sessions, twice a week and continued use of the orthosis. Results 4 women and 2 men participated. They married (50%), complete higher education (50%), right-handed (83%) with a mean age of 54.3 (SD12.01). The results showed that the pain, measured by the VAS, improved for 5 (83.3%) participants since before the treatment the pain ranged from 3 to 10 and after from 0 to 6. The pulp forceps improved in 5 cases, the tripod clamp and handgrip improved in 4 cases and the lateral clamp improved in 2 cases. All users stated that they were satisfied with the orthosis and with the services offered and highlighted: "ease of use", "monitoring services" and "comfort". Conclusion The use of orthosis made in a 3D printer associated with occupational therapy treatment proved to be effective in relieving pain, improving strength, and satisfying those affected by rhizarthrosis.

Diagnosis of the Hansen's disease laboratory care network at the Regional Health Department XV, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil / Diagnóstico de la red de atención de laboratorio de la enfermedad de Hansen en el Departamento Regional de Salud XV, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brasil / Diagnóstico da rede de atendimento laboratorial de hanseníase no Departamento Regional de Saúde XV, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo

Objective. To present the situational diagnosis of the laboratory reference network for leprosy in the region of São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil. Methods. An online form was sent to each person responsible for the leprosy program. Results. All 102 municipalities that make up the region sent the requested data, 82.4% (84/102) requested slit skin smear microscopy and of these 68 received training. Of the total, 11.7% send slit skin smear to other laboratories without respecting the reference network. Only 57.8% (59/102) requested a biopsy, of these 47 had a doctor responsible for the collection and 31 didn´t respect the reference network for forwarding the biopsies. Aspects that make it difficult to diagnose leprosy cases in the region have been described as the lack of an adequate room, trained professionals, the absence of material for transportation and the request for printed exams. Conclusion. The laboratory network is fragile and needs to be respected in its initial composition or reorganized.

Objetivo. Apresentar o diagnóstico situacional da rede laboratorial para hanseníase na região de São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brasil. Métodos. Pesquisa de avaliação com desenho descritivo. Os dados foram coletados por meio de formulário online preenchido pelos responsáveis do programa de hanseníase, em 2018. Resultados. Todos os 102 municípios que compõem a região enviaram os dados solicitados, 84 (82,4%) solicitavam a baciloscopia e destes, 68 receberam capacitação. Do total, 11,7% enviavam baciloscopia para outros laboratórios sem respeitar a rede de referência. Apenas 59 (57,8%) solicitavam a biópsia e destes, 47 tinham médico responsável pela coleta e 31 não respeitavam a rede de referência para encaminhamento das biópsias. Foram descritos, como aspectos que dificultavam o diagnóstico dos casos de hanseníase na região, a falta de sala adequada, poucos profissionais capacitados, ausência de material para transporte e de requisição de exames impressa. Conclusão. A rede laboratorial se encontra fragilizada, necessitando reestruturação.

Exaustão emocional e física de cuidadores familiares / Emotional and physical exhaustion of family caregivers / Agotamiento emocional y físico de los cuidadores familiares

Objetivo: verificar o perfil de distúrbios osteomusculares, a sobrecarga emocional e a saúde de cuidadores de pessoas com sequelas de lesão no Sistema Nervoso Central. Método: estudo descritivo com 23 cuidadores. Foram aplicados testes de lesão osteomusculares (Nórdico), de sobrecarga (Carregiver Burden Scale) e a Escala de Avaliação do Risco na Movimentação e Transferência. Resultados: os cuidadores tinham idade média de 52,9, mulheres, cônjuges, ensino fundamental e com função de cuidar do paciente e residência sem renumeração, média de 15,8h/dia de trabalho. 47,8% receberam poucas orientações sobre como cuidar. Os de maior idade sofrem mais com dor (coluna e membros superiores) e se afastam mais das atividades comparados aos mais jovens (valor-p=0,01). A tensão geral, o isolamento e a sobrecarga emocional foram impactantes (valor-p=0,03). Conclusão: as cuidadoras são familiares, de baixa renda, apresentam dores osteomusculares, considerável sobrecarga emocional e dor física e necessitam de cuidados da equipe de saúde

Objective: The study's main purpose has been to verify the profile of musculoskeletal disorders, emotional burden and health profile of caregivers of people bearing central nervous system injury sequelae. Methods: It is a descriptive study with 23 participating caregivers. There were applied musculoskeletal injury tests (Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire), overload tests (Caregiver Burden Scale) and the Physical Mobility and Transfer Risk Assessment Scale. Results: The caregivers' profile were as follows: average age of 52.9 years old, women, spouses, elementary school, responsible for providing care to the patient, residence without a salary, and an average working hours of 15.8 hours per day. A total of 47.8% received little guidance on how to provide care services. Older people suffer more with pain (spine and upper limbs) and stay more away from activities from activities compared to younger ones (p-value = 0.01). Overall tension, isolation, and emotional burden were impactful (p-value = 0.03). Conclusion: The caregivers are family members, low income, have musculoskeletal pain, considerable emotional burden and physical pain, as well as they need support from the health team

Objetivo: Verificar el perfil de los trastornos musculoesqueléticos, la carga emocional y la salud de los cuidadores de personas con secuelas de lesiones del sistema nervioso central. Método: estudio descriptivo. Se aplicaron lo Nórdico, lo Carregiver Burden Scale y la escala de evaluación de riesgo de movimiento y transferencia. Resultados: los cuidadores (n=23) tenían promedio de 52.9 años, mujeres, cónyuges, escuela primaria y con la función de cuidar al paciente y la residencia sin renumeración, promedio de 15.8h/día de trabajo. Las personas mayores sufren más con dolor (columna vertebral y extremidades superiores) y se alejan más de las actividades en comparación con las más jóvenes (valor-p=0.01). La tensión general, el aislamiento y la sobrecarga emocional fueron impactantes (valor-p =0.03). Conclusión: los cuidadores son miembros de la familia, de bajos ingresos, tienen dolor musculoesquelético, una carga emocional considerable y dolor físico y necesitan atención del equipo de salud

Diagnóstico da rede de atendimento laboratorial de hanseníase no Departamento Regional de Saúde XV, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo / Diagnóstico de la red de atención de laboratorio de lepra en el Departamento Regional de Salud XV, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brasil / Diagnosis of the leprosy laboratory care network in Regional Health Department XV, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil

Objetivo: Apresentar o diagnóstico situacional da rede laboratorial para hanseníase na região de São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brasil. Métodos: Pesquisa de avaliação com desenho descritivo. Os dados foram coletados por meio de formulário online preenchido pelos responsáveis pelo programa de hanseníase, em 2018. Resultados: Todos os 102 municípios que compõem a região enviaram os dados solicitados, 84 (82,4%) solicitavam a baciloscopia; e destes, 68 receberam capacitação. Do total, 11,7% enviavam baciloscopia para outros laboratórios sem respeitar a rede de referência. Apenas 59 (57,8%) solicitavam a biópsia, e destes, 47 tinham médico responsável pela coleta e 31 não respeitavam a rede de referência para encaminhamento das biópsias. Foram descritos, como aspectos que dificultavam o diagnóstico dos casos de hanseníase na região, a falta de sala adequada, poucos profissionais capacitados, ausência de material para transporte e de requisição de exames impressa. Conclusão: A rede laboratorial se encontra fragilizada, necessitando reestruturação.

Objetivo: Presentar el diagnóstico de la situación de la red de laboratorios para lepra en la región de São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brasil. Métodos: Estudio de evaluación con diseño descriptivo. Los datos fueron recolectados a través de un formulario en línea por cada persona responsable del programa de lepra en 2018. Resultados: Los 102 municipios que conforman la región enviaron los datos solicitados, el 82,4% (84/102) solicitaba la baciloscopia y de estos 68 recibieron capacitación. Del total, el 11.7% enviaba la baciloscopia a otros laboratorios sin respetar la red de referencia. Solo el 57,8% (59/102) solicitó una biopsia, y de estos, 47 tenía un médico responsable de la recolección y 31 no respetaron la red de referencia para enviar las biopsias. Los aspectos que dificultan el diagnóstico de casos de lepra en la región SJRP se describieron como la falta de una sala adecuada, profesionales capacitados, ausencia de material para el transporte y de solicitudes de exámenes impresos. Conclusión: La red de laboratorios está fragilizada y debe ser respetada en su composición inicial o reexaminada y reorganizada.

Objective: To present the situational diagnosis of the leprosy laboratory reference network in the region of São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil. Methods: This was an evaluation study with a descriptive design. The data were collected by means of an online form filled in by those in charge of the leprosy program in 2018. Results: All 102 municipalities that make up the region provided the requested data, 82.4% (84/102) requested slit-skin smear microscopy and of these 68 received training. Of the total, 11.7% sent slit-skin smears to other laboratories outside the reference network. Only 57.8% (59/102) requested a biopsy, of these 47 had a doctor responsible for taking the biopsy sample and 31 did not send biopsy samples for analysis in the reference network. Lack of an adequate room, few trained professionals, absence of material for transportation and absence of printed test requisitions were described as aspects that hinder leprosy case diagnosis in the region. Conclusion: The laboratory network is fragile and needs to be restructured.

The reliability of information records in the Health Information System: surveillance of intra-domiciliary leprosy contacts / confiabilidade dos registros de informações no Sistema de Informação em Saúde: vigilância de contatos intradomiciliares de hanseníase / La confiabilidad de los registros de las informaciones en sistema de Información en Salud: vigilancia de los contactos intradomiciliares de hanseniase

The objective of this study was to compare intra-domiciliary contacts (IDCs) in the Health Information System (SIS) with records of people diagnosed with leprosy. This was a cross-sectional, retrospective, and quantitative study based on the physical information collected in medical records and the SIS records in 2015 and 2016, in a municipality in the countryside of the State of São Paulo. We used an instrument with variables related to IDCs such as gender, age, relationship, disease, BCG-ID vaccine, SIS records, and descriptive analysis. Out of the 81 IDCs from 40 diagnosed patients, 72 were evaluated, and 71 were included in the SIS. One IDC became ill after the end of treatment of the index case. The prevalent gender among IDCs was female, young adults, and children. A difference of 12.4% as observed between the physical and SIS records; a difference of 11.1% was observed when correlating 81 records with the frequency of the 72 evaluated IDCs. It is concluded that the IDC and SIS records are in disagreement.

O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar os contatos intradomiciliares (CIs) do Sistema de Informação em Saúde (SIS) com os registros de pessoas diagnosticadas com hanseníase. Estudo transversal, retrospectivo e quantitativo, baseado nas informações coletadas em registros físicos e do SIS em 2015 e 2016, em um município do interior do Estado de São Paulo. Foi utilizado um instrumento com variáveis relacionadas aos CIs: sexo, idade, relacionamento, doença, vacina BCG-ID, registros SIS e análise descritiva. Dos 81 CIs de 40 pacientes diagnosticados, 72 foram avaliados e 71 foram incluídos no SIS. 01 CIs adoeceu após o término do tratamento do caso índice. O sexo prevalente dos CIs é feminino, adulto jovem e filho. Entre os registros físicos e do SIS, houve uma diferença de 12,4%; e correlacionando os mesmos registros (81) com a frequência dos CIs avaliados (72), há uma diferença de 11,1%. Conclui-se que existe discordância entre os registos de CIs nos registos com o SIS.

El estudio tiene el objetivo de comparar las anotaciones de comunicantes intradomiciliares (CI) del Sistema de Información en Salud (SIS), con las de los prontuarios de las personas diagnosticadas con leprae. En el presente trabajo se analizaron los resultados obtenidos en el análisis de los resultados obtenidos en el análisis de los resultados obtenidos, evaluados en los registros del SIS. De los 81 CI de 40 pacientes diagnosticados, 72 fueron evaluados y 71 fueron incluidos en el SIS. Y en el caso de las mujeres, El grado de parentesco frecuente fue infantil, mujeres y adultos jóvenes. Entre las anotaciones del SIS y los prontuarios, hay diferencia del 12,4%; y correlacionando los mismos registros (81) con la frecuencia de los CI evaluados (72), hay una diferencia del 11,1%. Se concluye que hay discordancia entre los registros de CI en los prontuarios con el SIS.

Leprosy: meanings and experiences among adolescents with the disease and their family members / Hanseníase: sentidos e facetas do convívio para adolescentes com a doença e seus familiares

Abstract This research aimed at understanding the social representations of leprosy constructed by adolescents with the disease and their family members, including their perception about the impact of the disease in their daily life. Data of semi-structured interviews with 19 adolescents aged 12-18 years receiving medical treatment for leprosy and with 18 family members who lived in the same address were collected. Data were treated with thematic content analysis. Results showed that the emotion of fear and beliefs about contagion and prejudice were important elements of the leprosy representations. Participants perceived important negative changes in their daily life after diagnosis confirmation including suffering caused by the routine of medical procedures and physical pain. Patients perceived discrimination in the relationship with family members and friends, associated to the fear of contagion, and reported practices of concealment of signs of the disease to their peers. It was concluded that, given the permanence of a the archaic view of the disease and the impacts caused on the daily life of adolescents with leprosy and their families, it is necessary to expand information about the disease, to rethink health practices and to establish dialogic meetings in order to enable the reflection and construction of new meanings in relation to the disease, improving their quality of life.

Resumo Esta pesquisa teve o objetivo de compreender as representações sociais da hanseníase para adolescentes com a doença e seus familiares, incluindo suas percepções sobre repercussões da doença no cotidiano. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas, realizadas com 19 adolescentes em tratamento medicamentoso para a hanseníase, com idade entre 12 e 18 anos, e 18 familiares que habitavam a mesma casa que o doente. Os dados foram tratados com análise de conteúdo temática. Os resultados indicaram que as representações da hanseníase eram fortemente marcadas pelo afeto do medo e pelas ideias relativas ao contágio e ao preconceito. Participantes percebiam alterações negativas importantes no cotidiano após o diagnóstico da doença, incluindo sofrimento com a rotina de procedimentos médicos e dores físicas. Eles percebiam práticas de discriminação nas relações com a família e amigos, em associação com o medo da contaminação, e relataram práticas de ocultação dos sinais da doença para seus pares. Conclui-se que, ante a permanência de uma visão arcaica da doença e dos impactos causados no cotidiano dos adolescentes com hanseníase e dos seus familiares, faz-se necessário ampliar os cenários diversos de informação sobre a enfermidade, repensar as práticas em saúde e estabelecer encontros dialógicos, a fim de possibilitar a reflexão e a construção de novos sentidos e significados em relação à doença, proporcionando melhorias à vida dessas pessoas.

Avaliação neurológica simplificada: auxílio no diagnóstico de Hanseníase / Simplified neurological assessment: aid in the diagnosis of leprosy

Apresenta dados da Hanseníase no Brasil no Mundo. Apresenta avaliação das Lesões dos nervos periféricos, na região nasal, olhos, Nervo Facial, Nervo Trigêmeo, Teste de Acuidade Visual, Nervo Auricular, Nervo Ulnar, Nervo Mediano, Nervo Radial e Radial Cutâneo, Técnica do Estesiômetro, Nervo Fibular Profundo e Superficial, Nervo Tibial Posterior, Estesiometria nos pés.

It presents data on Hansen's disease in Brazil worldwide. Presents evaluation of peripheral nerve injuries, in the nasal region, eyes, facial nerve, trigeminal nerve, visual acuity test, auricular nerve, ulnar nerve, median nerve, radial and radial cutaneous nerve, esthesiometer technique, deep and superficial fibular nerve, Posterior Tibial Nerve, Stoichiometry in the feet.

Presenta datos sobre la enfermedad de Hansen en Brasil en todo el mundo. Presenta evaluación de lesiones de nervios periféricos, en la región nasal, ojos, nervio facial, nervio trigémino, prueba de agudeza visual, nervio auricular, nervio cubital, nervio mediano, nervio cutáneo radial y radial, técnica de estesiómetro, nervio peroneo profundo y superficial, Nervio Tibial Posterior, Estequiometria en los pies.

Il présente des données sur la maladie de Hansen au Brésil dans le monde entier. Présente l'évaluation des lésions nerveuses périphériques, dans la région nasale, les yeux, le nerf facial, le nerf trijumeau, le test d'acuité visuelle, le nerf auriculaire, le nerf ulnaire, le nerf médian, le nerf cutané radial et radial, la technique de l'esthésiomètre, le nerf fibulaire profond et superficiel, Nerf tibial postérieur, stoechiométrie dans les pieds.

Epidemiological and geographical characterization of leprosy in a Brazilian hyperendemic municipality.

This study aimed to identify the distribution pattern of leprosy in a hyperendemic municipality in Brazil and determine its relationship with the clinico-epidemiological situation over 11 years. The geographic information system, MapInfo, spatial scan statistics and the Moran I index were used to analyze new cases. The digital cartographic base was used to map clusters of new paucibacillary and multibacillary cases and cases in minors under 15 years old. Socioeconomic indicators are shown using the choropleth mapping technique. A reduction in the detection coefficient, increases in high-risk spatial clusters, marked changes in the distribution of high-risk and low-risk clusters, and high-risk clusters of minors under 15 years old were observed from 2006 to 2010, showing recent illness, the presence of active foci, and overlapping of high-risk clusters of multibacillary infection in minors under 15 years old. Leprosy remains a public health problem in Rondonópolis, Mato Grosso State; the high-risk areas require an intensification of control measures and active search strategies to detect new cases.

Hanseníase e representações sociais entre familiares de adolescentes com a doença / Leprosy: social representations among teenagers family with disease

Fundamentado pela Teoria das Representações Sociais, objetivou-se analisar as representações sociais da hanseníase para familiares de adolescentes com a doença. Realizou-se entrevista semiestruturada com 18 familiares que habitavam a mesma casa que o doente. O software ALCESTE foi utilizado e gerou sete classes. Os resultados indicaram representações revestidas de elementos valorados negativamente, as quais associaram a hanseníase a uma doença grave e perigosa, desenhando um doente em sofrimento. Há carência de informações, o que contribuiu para uma construção simbólica da doença alicerçada por crenças e hipóteses pessoais. Estabelecer encontros dialógicos e ampliar a informação pode possibilitar a construção de novos significados acerca do adoecer e da doença

Based on the Theory of Social Representations, this study analyzed social representations of leprosy in families of adolescents with the disease. Data collection, by semi-structured interviews, involved 18 family members who lived in the patient's home. The Alceste software was used to identify seven lexical classes. The results indicated representations coated with negatively valued elements that associated leprosy to a serious and dangerous disease, outlining a patient in suffering. The lack of data contributes to a symbolic construction of the disease underpinned by personal beliefs and hypotheses. Establishing dialogic encounters and expanding information may enable the construction of new meanings about becoming ill and illness

Epidemiological and geographical characterization of leprosy in a Brazilian hyperendemic municipality / Caracterização epidemiológica e geográfica da hanseníase em um município brasileiro hiperendêmico / Caracterización epidemiológica y geográfica de lepra en un municipio brasileño hiperendémico

Abstract: This study aimed to identify the distribution pattern of leprosy in a hyperendemic municipality in Brazil and determine its relationship with the clinico-epidemiological situation over 11 years. The geographic information system, MapInfo, spatial scan statistics and the Moran I index were used to analyze new cases. The digital cartographic base was used to map clusters of new paucibacillary and multibacillary cases and cases in minors under 15 years old. Socioeconomic indicators are shown using the choropleth mapping technique. A reduction in the detection coefficient, increases in high-risk spatial clusters, marked changes in the distribution of high-risk and low-risk clusters, and high-risk clusters of minors under 15 years old were observed from 2006 to 2010, showing recent illness, the presence of active foci, and overlapping of high-risk clusters of multibacillary infection in minors under 15 years old. Leprosy remains a public health problem in Rondonópolis, Mato Grosso State; the high-risk areas require an intensification of control measures and active search strategies to detect new cases.

Resumo: O estudo teve como objetivos identificar o padrão de distribuição da hanseníase em um município brasileiro hiperendêmico e determinar a relação com o quadro clínico-epidemiológico ao longo de 11 anos. Os casos novos foram analisados com o sistema de informação geográfica, MapInfo, estatística scan espacial e índice Moran I. A base cartográfica digital foi usada para mapear os clusters de casos paucibacilares e multibacilares novos e casos em menores de 15 anos. Os indicadores socioeconômicos são mostrados através da técnica de mapeamento coroplético. Entre 2006 e 2010, foram observados uma redução no coeficiente de detecção, aumento no clusters espaciais de alto risco, mudanças marcantes na distribuição de clusters de alto e baixo risco e clusters de alto risco em menores de 15 anos, sugerindo doença recente, a presença de focos ativos e a sobreposição de clusters de alto risco para infecção multibacilar em menores de 15 anos. A hanseníase persiste enquanto problema de saúde pública em Rondonópolis, Mato Grosso; as áreas de alto risco exigem a intensificação de medidas de controle, além de estratégias de busca ativa para detectar casos novos.

Resumen: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo identificar la distribución de los patrones de lepra en una municipalidad hiperendémica en Brasil y determinar su relación con la situación clínico-epidemiológica durante 11 años. El sistema de información geográfica, MapInfo, estadísticas de escaneo espacial y el índice de Moran se usaron para analizar nuevos casos. La base cartográfica digital se usó para mapear clústeres de nuevos casos multibacilares y paucibacilares, así como casos en menores por debajo de 15 años de edad. Los indicadores socioeconómicos se presentan usando la técnica de mapeo de coropletas. La reducción en la detección del coeficiente, se incrementa en los clústeres de alto riesgo espaciales, asimismo, se observaron de 2006 a 2010 cambios considerables en la distribución de los clústeres de alto riesgo y bajo riesgo, así como en clústeres de alto riesgo con menores con menos de 15 años de edad, mostrando los casos de enfermedad reciente la presencia de focos activos, así como solapando clústeres de alto riesgo de infección multibacilar en menores por debajo de los 15 años de edad. La lepra continúa siendo un problema de salud pública en Rondonópolis, Mato Grosso; las áreas de alto riesgo necesitan una intensificación de las medidas de control y una búsqueda activa de estrategias, con el fin de detectar nuevos casos.