A Spatial Analysis of the Spread of Hyperendemic Sporotrichosis in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Sporotrichosis is a subacute/chronic subcutaneous mycosis. Since the late 1990s, there has been a hyperendemic zoonotic transmission in the state of Rio de Janeiro, involving Sporothrix brasiliensis, the most virulent causative species, and a "belt" was described along the limits between the capital and its outskirts ("Baixada Fluminense"). This study analyzes the distribution of sporotrichosis using secondary data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (Sinan) of the Rio de Janeiro State Health Department (SES/RJ) from 2011 to 2015 and from the INI Electronic Patient Record System (Sipec) from 2008 to 2015. Cases diagnosed since the onset of the hyperendemic exceed all previously reported case series of the disease and there is a progressive expansion in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The study suggests the spread of the mycosis to all regions of the state and the expansion of the previously described "belt", despite public health measures and changes in its profile over the years, with great social impact.

Ecological and environmental factors affecting transmission of sylvatic yellow fever in the 2017-2019 outbreak in the Atlantic Forest, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Yellow fever virus (YFV) is an arbovirus that, despite the existence of a safe and effective vaccine, continues to cause outbreaks of varying dimensions in the Americas and Africa. Between 2017 and 2019, Brazil registered un unprecedented sylvatic YFV outbreak whose severity was the result of its spread into zones of the Atlantic Forest with no signals of viral circulation for nearly 80 years. METHODS: To investigate the influence of climatic, environmental, and ecological factors governing the dispersion and force of infection of YFV in a naïve area such as the landscape mosaic of Rio de Janeiro (RJ), we combined the analyses of a large set of data including entomological sampling performed before and during the 2017-2019 outbreak, with the geolocation of human and nonhuman primates (NHP) and mosquito infections. RESULTS: A greater abundance of Haemagogus mosquitoes combined with lower richness and diversity of mosquito fauna increased the probability of finding a YFV-infected mosquito. Furthermore, the analysis of functional traits showed that certain functional groups, composed mainly of Aedini mosquitoes which includes Aedes and Haemagogus mosquitoes, are also more representative in areas where infected mosquitoes were found. Human and NHP infections were more common in two types of landscapes: large and continuous forest, capable of harboring many YFV hosts, and patches of small forest fragments, where environmental imbalance can lead to a greater density of the primary vectors and high human exposure. In both, we show that most human infections (~ 62%) occurred within an 11-km radius of the finding of an infected NHP, which is in line with the flight range of the primary vectors. CONCLUSIONS: Together, our data suggest that entomological data and landscape composition analyses may help to predict areas permissive to yellow fever outbreaks, allowing protective measures to be taken to avoid human cases.

Pandemia da Covid-19: variação no uso de internações hospitalares nos municípios g100 / COVID-19 pandemic: hospitalization use variation in the g100 municipalities

RESUMO Este estudo objetivou analisar comparativamente o volume e os fluxos para internações hospitalares antes e durante o primeiro ano da pandemia da Covid-19 nos 112 municípios g100. Esses municípios caracterizam-se por ter mais de 80 mil habitantes, baixa renda e alta vulnerabilidade socioeconômica. Foram utilizados dados do Sistema de Informações Hospitalares do Sistema Único de Saúde referentes ao período 2017-2020. Selecionaram-se as internações de adultos (idade ≥ 18 anos), que foram classificadas segundo tipo de admissão ou especialidade do tratamento nas seguintes categorias: eletivas ou urgência/ emergência; tratamento clínico, cirúrgico, obstétrico e oncológico. As internações eletivas apresentaram maior redução no volume em 2020 em relação ao ano anterior devido às medidas adotadas para minimizar os riscos de contágio e priorização do cuidado aos pacientes grave por Covid-19. Não foram observadas alterações significativas em relação ao local de realização das internações de residentes de municípios g100. Contudo, no g100, observou-se diferenciação entre localidades nas quais a regionalização em saúde funciona de forma mais adequada, e em outras onde há escassez de recursos ou necessidade de planejamento e gestão mais efetivos.

ABSTRACT This study aims to comparatively analyze the volume and flows for hospital admissions before and during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in 112 g100 municipalities, which are characterized by having more than 80,000 inhabitants, low income, and high socioeconomic vulnerability. Data from the SUS Hospital Information System regarding hospitalizations of adults (age ≥ 18 years) in the period 2017-2020. Hospitalizations were classified according to type of admission or specialty of treatment in the following categories: elective, urgency/emergency, clinical, surgical, obstetric, and oncological treatment. Elective hospitalizations showed a greater reduction in volume in 2020 compared to the previous year, probably due to the measures adopted to minimize the risks of contagion and prioritization of care to severe patients by COVID-19. Considering the place of hospitalization, no significant changes were observed in relation to the referral of residents of g100 municipalities to other municipalities. However, there was differentiation between localities in which regionalization in health works in a more appropriate way, and others where there is a scarcity of resources or need for more effective planning and management.

High prevalence of hepatitis A in indigenous population in north Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: Little is known about hepatitis A virus (HAV) prevalence in indigenous communities. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of HAV in indigenous community compared to urban population located at Western Amazon in Brazil. RESULTS: A total of 872 serum samples were obtained from 491 indigenous and 381 non indigenous individuals aging 0 to 90 years. Samples were tested for total and IgM anti-HAV and positive IgM samples were tested for HAV RNA. The overall prevalence of total anti-HAV was 87%, increased according age showing 100% of prevalence in those aging more than 30 years (p < 0.0001) and it was similar among indigenous and urban population. Total anti-HAV prevalence varied between tribes (p < 0.0001) and urban sites (p = 0.0014) and spatial distribution showed high prevalence in homes that received up to 100 dollars. IgM anti-HAV prevalence was 1.7% with predominance in males, those aging more than 41 years. No HAV RNA was detected. In conclusion, high overall anti-HAV prevalence was found in indigenous communities in North Brazil demonstrating the importance of universal vaccination in this group.

Determination of hepatitis B, C and D prevalence among urban and Amerindian populations from the Eastern Brazilian Amazon: a cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HDV in urban populations and Amerindians living in the state of Tocantins (Eastern Amazon). METHODS: A total of 948 individuals were recruited in Tocantinopolis city (Tocantins state) of whom 603 were Amerindians (from 6 tribes) and 345 were non-Amerindians (6 urban areas of Tocantinópolis city). Anti-HCV, HBsAg, anti-HBc, anti-HBs, anti-HBc IgM, anti-HBe, HBeAg, and anti-delta antibodies were determined using enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: HBV cleared infection (both anti-HBc/anti-HBs+), chronic inactive/immune controlled HBV infection (anti-HBc + only), previous HBV vaccination (anti-HBs + only), active HBV infection (HBsAg+), individuals susceptible to HBV, and anti-HCV reactivity were found in 12.9, 1.8, 27.2, 0.5, 57.7, 1.2% in Amerindians and 12.1, 2.0, 37.1, 0.3, 55.4, 0.3% in non-Amerindians respectively. Out of 139 anti-HBc reactive individuals, 70 were anti-HBe reactive and none presented HBeAg or anti-HBc IgM. Anti-HBc prevalence was associated to older age (p < 0.0001). Overall anti-Delta prevalence was 0.3% and regarding anti-HBc reactive individuals, anti-delta prevalence was 3.4 and 0% in Amerindians and non-Amerindians respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Overall low prevalence of HBV and HCV infection was found in the populations studied, but high HBV and HCV prevalence was observed in Amerindians compared to non-Amerindians suggesting that these individuals have a higher likelihood of acquiring to these infections. Anti-delta antibodies were found among Amerindians from Eastern Amazon suggesting a risk for this population. Of note is that nearly half of Amerindians had no anti-HBs, indicating a need for HBV vaccination campaigns in this population.

Socio-spatial inequalities related to tuberculosis in the city of Itaboraí, Rio de Janeiro. / Desigualdades socioespaciais relacionadas à tuberculose no município de Itaboraí, Rio de Janeiro.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis remains as a global public health problem and its occurrence and distribution is associated with social inequalities. Itaboraí is among the priority Brazilian municipalities for tuberculosis control. The study aimed to combine social indicators into a composite indicator to measure differences in living conditions of the population in Itaboraí, as well as evidence of health inequalities related to tuberculosis. METHODS: An ecological study, with spatial analysis of tuberculosis and its relation to socioeconomic and demographic status of households. Data were obtained from individuals declared in the Mortality Information System (SIM), notified in the Notification of Injury Information System - SINAN or Tuberculosis Special Treatment Information System - SITETB from 2007 to 2013. RESULTS: Evidence indicates association between sociodemographic inequalities and occurrence of tuberculosis in the population. Findings point to a lower percentage of healing and a higher percentage of abandonment and death in areas with high social vulnerability, with a relative risk over twice as high than that found in areas of lower vulnerability. CONCLUSION: The study showed strong evidence that the influence of unequal sociodemographic conditions have a negative impact on health conditions of the population in Itaboraí.

INTRODUÇÃO: A tuberculose ainda é um problema de saúde pública mundial e sua ocorrência e distribuição estão associadas às desigualdades sociais. Itaboraí está entre os municípios brasileiros prioritários para o controle dessa doença. Os objetivos deste estudo foram combinar indicadores sociais em um indicador sintético para mensurar as diferenças nas condições de vida da população de Itaboraí, assim como evidenciar prováveis desigualdades em saúde relacionadas à tuberculose. MÉTODOS: Estudo ecológico, com análise espacial da tuberculose e sua relação com a situação socioeconômica e demográfica das famílias residentes. Os dados foram obtidos de indivíduos residentes, declarados no Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade (SIM), notificados no Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN) ou registrados no Sistema de Informação de Tratamentos Especiais de Tuberculose (SITETB), entre 2007 a 2013. RESULTADOS: Evidências indicam associação entre desigualdades sociodemográficas e ocorrência de tuberculose na população. Achados apontam menor percentual de cura e maior percentagem de abandono e óbito em áreas com maior vulnerabilidade social, com risco relativo mais de duas vezes superior ao encontrado nas áreas de menor vulnerabilidade. CONCLUSÃO: O estudo demonstrou fortes evidências de que a influência de condições sociodemográficas desiguais tem efeitos perniciosos nas condições de saúde da população em Itaboraí.

Desigualdades socioespaciais relacionadas à tuberculose no município de Itaboraí, Rio de Janeiro / Socio-spatial inequalities related to tuberculosis in the city of Itaboraí, Rio de Janeiro

RESUMO: Introdução: A tuberculose ainda é um problema de saúde pública mundial e sua ocorrência e distribuição estão associadas às desigualdades sociais. Itaboraí está entre os municípios brasileiros prioritários para o controle dessa doença. Os objetivos deste estudo foram combinar indicadores sociais em um indicador sintético para mensurar as diferenças nas condições de vida da população de Itaboraí, assim como evidenciar prováveis desigualdades em saúde relacionadas à tuberculose. Métodos: Estudo ecológico, com análise espacial da tuberculose e sua relação com a situação socioeconômica e demográfica das famílias residentes. Os dados foram obtidos de indivíduos residentes, declarados no Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade (SIM), notificados no Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN) ou registrados no Sistema de Informação de Tratamentos Especiais de Tuberculose (SITETB), entre 2007 a 2013. Resultados: Evidências indicam associação entre desigualdades sociodemográficas e ocorrência de tuberculose na população. Achados apontam menor percentual de cura e maior percentagem de abandono e óbito em áreas com maior vulnerabilidade social, com risco relativo mais de duas vezes superior ao encontrado nas áreas de menor vulnerabilidade. Conclusão: O estudo demonstrou fortes evidências de que a influência de condições sociodemográficas desiguais tem efeitos perniciosos nas condições de saúde da população em Itaboraí.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Tuberculosis remains as a global public health problem and its occurrence and distribution is associated with social inequalities. Itaboraí is among the priority Brazilian municipalities for tuberculosis control. The study aimed to combine social indicators into a composite indicator to measure differences in living conditions of the population in Itaboraí, as well as evidence of health inequalities related to tuberculosis. Methods: An ecological study, with spatial analysis of tuberculosis and its relation to socioeconomic and demographic status of households. Data were obtained from individuals declared in the Mortality Information System (SIM), notified in the Notification of Injury Information System - SINAN or Tuberculosis Special Treatment Information System - SITETB from 2007 to 2013. Results: Evidence indicates association between sociodemographic inequalities and occurrence of tuberculosis in the population. Findings point to a lower percentage of healing and a higher percentage of abandonment and death in areas with high social vulnerability, with a relative risk over twice as high than that found in areas of lower vulnerability. Conclusion: The study showed strong evidence that the influence of unequal sociodemographic conditions have a negative impact on health conditions of the population in Itaboraí.

Acute juvenile Paracoccidioidomycosis: A 9-year cohort study in the endemic area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis caused by pathogenic dimorphic fungi of the genus Paracoccidioides. It is the most important systemic mycosis in Latin America and the leading cause of hospitalizations and death among them in Brazil. Acute PCM is less frequent but relevant because vulnerable young patients are affected and the severity is usually higher than that of the chronic type. METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective cohort study from 2001 to 2009 including acute juvenile PCM patients from a reference center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Clinical, epidemiological, diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic data were reported. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients were included. The average age was 23 years old and the male to female ratio was 1:1.07. All cases were referred from 3 of 9 existing health areas in the state of Rio de Janeiro, predominantly from urban areas (96.5%). Lymph nodes were the most affected organs (100%), followed by the skin and the spleen (31% each). Twenty-eight patients completed treatment (median 25 months) and progressed to clinical and serological cure; 1 death occurred. Twenty-four patients completed 48-month median follow-up. Four patients abandoned follow-up after the end of treatment. The most frequent sequela was low adrenal reserve. Paracoccidioides brasiliensis S1 was identified by partial sequencing of the arf and gp43 genes from 4 patients who presented a viable fungal culture. CONCLUSION: Acute juvenile PCM is a severe disease with a high rate of complications. There are few cohort clinical studies of acute PCM in the literature. More studies should be developed to promote improvement in patients' healthcare.

Increased Hospitalizations for Neuropathies as Indicators of Zika Virus Infection, according to Health Information System Data, Brazil.

Evidence is increasing that Zika virus can cause extensive damage to the central nervous system, affecting both fetuses and adults. We sought to identify traces of possible clinical manifestations of nervous system diseases among the registers of hospital admissions recorded in the Brazilian Unified Health System. Time series of several diagnoses from the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, were analyzed by using control diagrams, during January 2008-February 2016. Beginning in mid-2014, we observed an unprecedented and significant rise in the hospitalization rate for congenital malformations of the nervous system, Guillain-Barré syndrome, encephalitis, myelitis, and encephalomyelitis. These conditions are compatible with viral infection and inflammation-associated manifestations and may have been due to the entrance of Zika virus into Brazil. These findings show the necessity of adequately diagnosing and treating suspected cases of Zika virus infection and also that health surveillance systems can be improved by using routine data.

Enchentes, deslizamentos e leptospirose no contexto das chuvas intensas: o caso da região AP3.1 / Disasters, sliding and leptospirose in the context of the intense rains: the case of the area AP3.1

O presente estudo, analisou alguns dos problemas resultantes das chuvas intensas sobre o espaço urbano, na Área Programática de Saúde 3.1 (AP3.1) da cidade do Rio de Janeiro, onde esse evento climático sempre é motivo para alerta da população e dos órgãos públicos da defesa civil em virtude das perdas humanas e materiais. Foi utilizada metodologia com técnicas de Geoprocessamento, que pudesse indicar a extensão territorial e a probabilidade de ocorrência de enchentes, deslizamentos e disseminação da leptospirose. As análises realizadas, tiveram como base dados e informações a cerca do meio físico (altimetria, declividade, geomorfologia e drenagem), e das ações antrópicas (uso atual do solo) e comportou a utilização do Sistema Geográfico de Informações (SGI) SAGA/UFRJ, desenvolvido no Laboratório de Geoprocessamento da UFRJ (LAGEOP). Considerando o poder de prognóstico associado às técnicas empregadas, esse estudo visou contribuir com mais um enfoque relacionado à saúde ambiental.