Guillain-Barré syndrome during the Zika virus outbreak in Northeast Brazil: An observational cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical phenotype of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) after Zika virus (ZIKV) infection, the anti-glycolipid antibody signature, and the role of other circulating arthropod-borne viruses, we describe a cohort of GBS patients identified during ZIKV and chikungunya virus (CHIKV) outbreaks in Northeast Brazil. METHODS: We prospectively recruited GBS patients from a regional neurology center in Northeast Brazil between December 2014 and February 2017. Serum and CSF were tested for ZIKV, CHIKV, and dengue virus (DENV), by RT-PCR and antibodies, and serum was tested for GBS-associated antibodies to glycolipids. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients were identified. Forty-eight (68%) had laboratory evidence of a recent arbovirus infection; 25 (52%) ZIKV, 8 (17%) CHIKV, 1 (2%) DENV, and 14 (29%) ZIKV and CHIKV. Most patients with a recent arbovirus infection had motor and sensory symptoms (72%), a demyelinating electrophysiological subtype (67%) and a facial palsy (58%). Patients with a recent infection with ZIKV and CHIKV had a longer hospital admission and more frequent mechanical ventilation compared to the other patients. No specific anti-glycolipid antibody signature was identified in association with arbovirus infection, although significant antibody titres to GM1, GalC, LM1, and GalNAc-GD1a were found infrequently. CONCLUSION: A large proportion of cases had laboratory evidence of a recent infection with ZIKV or CHIKV, and recent infection with both viruses was found in almost one third of patients. Most patients with a recent arbovirus infection had a sensorimotor, demyelinating GBS. We did not find a specific anti-glycolipid antibody signature in association with arbovirus-related GBS.

Effectiveness of screening for tuberculosis in HIV: a pragmatic clinical trial

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To verify the effectiveness of screening for tuberculosis (TB) on all-cause mortality and tuberculosis cases in newly diagnosed HIV-infected patients through a clinical algorithm based on recommendations of the World Health Organization. METHODS: From March 2014 to April 2016, a pragmatic randomized clinical trial was conducted with newly diagnosed and TB-free HIV-infected adults undergoing antiretroviral therapy for up to one month at a major tertiary hospital for HIV in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. Participants were randomized into intervention and control groups using an automatically-generated random list, and followed-up for at least 6 months. The intervention group was screened for TB at hospital admission and at every follow-up visit through a series of questions addressing TB-related symptoms (cough, fever, night sweating, and weight loss). Patients presenting with any of these symptoms were referred to a pulmonologist and underwent sputum smear microscopy, sputum culture, and rapid molecular testing (GeneXpert). When at least one test result came back positive, TB treatment was initiated. In turn, if patients tested negative but presented with severe clinal symptoms, TB preventive treatment was initiated. Screening for TB was not performed systematically in the control group. The primary outcome assessed in this study was death from all causes, and secondary outcomes included sensitivity and specificity of this screening test, as well as its detection time. RESULTS: This study evaluated 581 patients, 377 in the intervention group (64.9%) and 204 in the control group (35.1%). In total, 36 patients died during the follow-up period. Of these, 26 (6.9%) were from the intervention group, reaching a cumulative mortality coefficient of 69 per 1,000 inhabitants, and 10 (4.9%) from the control group (p = 0.341), with a cumulative mortality coefficient of 49 per 1,000 inhabitants (p = 0.341).

Factors associated with underreporting of tuberculosis based on data from Sinan Aids and Sinan TB. / Fatores associados à subnotificação de tuberculose com base no Sinan Aids e Sinan Tuberculose.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the world's major public health problems. Epidemiological surveillance has proved to be an important tool to assist in the control and prevention of communicable diseases such as TB and AIDS. This study aimed to estimate the rate and factors associated with the underreporting of TB among cases of coinfection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS in the state of Pernambuco, based on data from the TB and Aids Notifiable Diseases Information System (Sinan TB and Sinan AIDS). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out based on the records of the TB and AIDS Notification System to identify cases of TB underreporting in the study period. In order to identify underreporting, a probabilistic linkage was undertaken using RecLink III software. RESULTS: The rate of TB underreporting was 29%, and the factors associated were: presenting a clinical form of TB as cavitary or unspecified pulmonary TB or having both kinds of TB at the same time; being treated outside the municipality of Recife; and being treated at health services not specialized for HIV/AIDS. DISCUSSION: The proportion of underreporting found in our study was lower than that observed in other Brazilian studies that took into account underreporting from mortality data. CONCLUSION: The variables associated with underreporting of TB were mostly related to the healthcare system rather than to individual characteristics, which points to the need for training of health professionals in order to notify the information systems correctly.

INTRODUÇÃO: A tuberculose (TB) é um dos graves problemas da saúde pública mundial. A vigilância epidemiológica tem se mostrado uma importante ferramenta para auxiliar em ações de controle e prevenção de doenças transmissíveis, como a TB e a aids. O objetivo do presente estudo foi estimar a proporção e os fatores associados à subnotificação da tuberculose em Pernambuco, entre os casos de coinfecção TB/aids, com base nos dados do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação da TB e da aids. MÉTODOS: Realizou-se um estudo de corte seccional, baseado nos registros dos Sistemas de Notificação de TB e aids, para identificação de casos de subnotificação de TB no período de estudo, mediante a realização de linkage probabilístico utilizando o software RecLink III. Resultados: Verificou-se proporção de 29% de subnotificação de TB, e os fatores associados à subnotificação foram: apresentar forma clínica da TB pulmonar cavitária ou não especificada, ou ter os dois tipos de TB ao mesmo tempo; e ser atendido fora do Recife e em serviços que não são especializados para vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV)/aids. DISCUSSÃO: A proporção de subnotificação encontrada em nosso estudo foi menor do que a observada em outras pesquisas brasileiras que levaram em consideração a subnotificação haja vista os dados de mortalidade. CONCLUSÃO: As variáveis associadas à subnotificação de TB referem-se, em sua maioria, à rede de atenção, e não às características individuais, o que aponta para a necessidade de capacitação dos profissionais de saúde para efetuar a notificação aos sistemas de informação.

Fatores associados à subnotificação de tuberculose com base no Sinan Aids e Sinan Tuberculose / Factors associated with underreporting of tuberculosis based on data from Sinan Aids and Sinan TB

RESUMO: Introdução: A tuberculose (TB) é um dos graves problemas da saúde pública mundial. A vigilância epidemiológica tem se mostrado uma importante ferramenta para auxiliar em ações de controle e prevenção de doenças transmissíveis, como a TB e a aids. O objetivo do presente estudo foi estimar a proporção e os fatores associados à subnotificação da tuberculose em Pernambuco, entre os casos de coinfecção TB/aids, com base nos dados do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação da TB e da aids. Métodos: Realizou-se um estudo de corte seccional, baseado nos registros dos Sistemas de Notificação de TB e aids, para identificação de casos de subnotificação de TB no período de estudo, mediante a realização de linkage probabilístico utilizando o software RecLink III. Resultados: Verificou-se proporção de 29% de subnotificação de TB, e os fatores associados à subnotificação foram: apresentar forma clínica da TB pulmonar cavitária ou não especificada, ou ter os dois tipos de TB ao mesmo tempo; e ser atendido fora do Recife e em serviços que não são especializados para vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV)/aids. Discussão: A proporção de subnotificação encontrada em nosso estudo foi menor do que a observada em outras pesquisas brasileiras que levaram em consideração a subnotificação haja vista os dados de mortalidade. Conclusão: As variáveis associadas à subnotificação de TB referem-se, em sua maioria, à rede de atenção, e não às características individuais, o que aponta para a necessidade de capacitação dos profissionais de saúde para efetuar a notificação aos sistemas de informação.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the world's major public health problems. Epidemiological surveillance has proved to be an important tool to assist in the control and prevention of communicable diseases such as TB and AIDS. This study aimed to estimate the rate and factors associated with the underreporting of TB among cases of coinfection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS in the state of Pernambuco, based on data from the TB and Aids Notifiable Diseases Information System (Sinan TB and Sinan AIDS). Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out based on the records of the TB and AIDS Notification System to identify cases of TB underreporting in the study period. In order to identify underreporting, a probabilistic linkage was undertaken using RecLink III software. Results: The rate of TB underreporting was 29%, and the factors associated were: presenting a clinical form of TB as cavitary or unspecified pulmonary TB or having both kinds of TB at the same time; being treated outside the municipality of Recife; and being treated at health services not specialized for HIV/AIDS. Discussion: The proportion of underreporting found in our study was lower than that observed in other Brazilian studies that took into account underreporting from mortality data. Conclusion: The variables associated with underreporting of TB were mostly related to the healthcare system rather than to individual characteristics, which points to the need for training of health professionals in order to notify the information systems correctly.

Association beteeen smoking, crack cocaine abus and the discontinuation of commbination antiretroviral therapy in recife, pernambuco, Brazil / Associacao entre tabagismo e o uso de crack com a descontinuidade da terapia antirretroviral combinada em Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil

Despite the effectiveness of combination antiretroviral therapy in the treatment of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), nonadherence to medication has become a major threat to its effectiveness. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of self-reported irregular use of antiretroviral therapy and the factors associated with such an irregularity in PLWHA. A cross-sectional study of PLWHA who attended two referral centers in the city of Recife, in Northeastern Brazil, between June 2007 and October 2009 was carried out. The study analyzed socioeconomic factors, social service support and personal habits associated with nonadherence to antiretroviral therapy, adjusted by multivariable logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of PLWHA who reported irregular use of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) was 25.7%. In the final multivariate model, the irregular use of cART was associated with the following variables: being aged less than 40 years (OR = 1.66, 95%-CI: 1.29-2.13), current smokers (OR = 1.76, 95%-CI: 1.31-2.37) or former smokers (OR = 1.43, 95%-CI: 1.05-1.95), and crack cocaine users (OR = 2.79, 95%-CI: 1.24-6.32). Special measures should be directed towards each of the following groups: individuals aged less than 40 years, smokers, former smokers and crack cocaine users. Measures for giving up smoking and crack cocaine should be incorporated into HIV-control programs in order to promote greater adherence to antiretroviral drugs and thus improve the quality of life and prolong life expectancy.

Apesar da eficácia da terapêutica antirretroviral combinada para o tratamento de pessoas vivendo com HIV/Aids, a não adesão aos medicamentos tem se tornado uma das maiores ameaças à efetividade dessa terapêutica. O objetivo desse estudo foi estimar a prevalência de uso irregular autorreferido da terapia antirretroviral e os fatores associados com essa irregularidade em pessoas vivendo com HIV. Foi realizado um estudo seccional de pessoas vivendo com HIV/Aids atendidas em dois centros de referência no Recife, Nordeste do Brasil, entre junho 2007 e outubro de 2009. Foram analisados os fatores socioeconômicos, de apoio social e de hábitos do indivíduo, ajustados através de análise de regressão logística multivariada. A prevalência de pessoas vivendo com HIV/Aids que relataram o uso irregular da terapia antirretroviral combinada (TARC) foi de 25,7%. No modelo multivariado final, o uso irregular da TARC esteve associado às seguintes variáveis: ter menos de 40 anos (OR = 1,66, IC95%: 1,29-2,13), fumantes (OR = 1,76, IC95%: 1,31-2,37) ou ex-fumantes (OR = 1,43, IC95%: 1,05-1,95) e ser usuário de crack (OR = 2,79, IC95%: 1,24-6,32). Medidas especiais devem ser direcionadas para cada um dos seguintes grupos: adultos com menos de 40 anos, fumantes, ex-fumantes e usuários de crack. Ações voltadas para a cessação do tabagismo e do crack devem ser incorporadas ao programa de controle dos infectados pelo HIV, visando promover a maior adesão aos antirretrovirais e, consequentemente, aumentar a expectativa e a qualidade de vida.

Association between smoking, crack cocaine abuse and the discontinuation of combination antiretroviral therapy in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.

Despite the effectiveness of combination antiretroviral therapy in the treatment of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), nonadherence to medication has become a major threat to its effectiveness. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of self-reported irregular use of antiretroviral therapy and the factors associated with such an irregularity in PLWHA. A cross-sectional study of PLWHA who attended two referral centers in the city of Recife, in Northeastern Brazil, between June 2007 and October 2009 was carried out. The study analyzed socioeconomic factors, social service support and personal habits associated with nonadherence to antiretroviral therapy, adjusted by multivariable logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of PLWHA who reported irregular use of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) was 25.7%. In the final multivariate model, the irregular use of cART was associated with the following variables: being aged less than 40 years (OR = 1.66, 95%-CI: 1.29-2.13), current smokers (OR = 1.76, 95%-CI: 1.31-2.37) or former smokers (OR = 1.43, 95%-CI: 1.05-1.95), and crack cocaine users (OR = 2.79, 95%-CI: 1.24-6.32). Special measures should be directed towards each of the following groups: individuals aged less than 40 years, smokers, former smokers and crack cocaine users. Measures for giving up smoking and crack cocaine should be incorporated into HIV-control programs in order to promote greater adherence to antiretroviral drugs and thus improve the quality of life and prolong life expectancy.

Fatores associados à subnotificação de TB e Aids, durante os anos de 2001 a 2010, a partir do Sinan / Factors associated with underreporting of TB and AIDS, during the years of 2001 to 2010, from the Sinan

A comorbidade tuberculose/HIV representa um grande desafio para a redução da incidência dessas duas doenças. O Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (Sinan) fornece informações importantes para a vigilância epidemiológica e ações de controle dessas doenças. A técnica de relacionamento de bases de dados é utilizada para melhoria da qualidade desses sistemas. Este estudo de corte transversal teve o objetivo de estimar a proporção de subnotificação de TB/Aids nos Sinan assim como os fatores associados à essa subnotificação, no Estado de Pernambuco, de 2001 a 2010. Foi realizada uma análise de duplicidade para verificar os registros referentes ao mesmo paciente. Após a identificação das duplicidades foi realizada a série de linkage, utilizando o software RecLink III. Encontrou-se uma proporção de subnotificação de TB de 29 por cento no Sinan Aids e 38 por cento de subnotificação da Aids no Sinan TB. As variáveis associadas à subnotificação de TB foram: ter TB pulmonar cavitária ou não especificada e ter as duas formas de TB concomitantemente (TB disseminada/extrapulmonar/não cavitária e TB pulmonar cavitária ou não especificada), não residir em Recife e ter sido atendido em outras unidades que não seja Serviço de Atendimento Especializado (SAE) para HIV/Aids. As variáveis associadas à subnotificação de Aids a partir do Sinan TB foram: ser retratamento de TB, a ausência de resultado do teste HIV, não residir em Recife, ter sido notificado no segundo período do estudo (2005-2010), não ser atendido em Recife, ter sido atendido em unidade básica de saúde. Os fatores associados à subnotificação de TB e de Aids referem-se, em sua maioria, a características relacionadas à rede de atenção e não à características individuais. Dessa forma, uma maior atenção para a capacitação dos profissionais responsáveis pela notificação dos casos poderia melhorar os dados referentes à coinfecção TB/Aids.

Incidence and risk factors for tuberculosis in people living with HIV: cohort from HIV referral health centers in Recife, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the incidence of and risk factors for tuberculosis in people living with HIV (PLHIV). DESIGN: Observational, prospective cohort study. METHODS: A total of 2069 HIV-infected patients was observed between July 2007 and December 2010. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the probability of survival free of tuberculosis, and Cox regression analysis to identify risk factors associated with the development of tuberculosis. RESULTS: Survival free of tuberculosis (TB) was 91%. The incidence rate of tuberculosis was 2.8 per 100 persons/years. Incidence of tuberculosis was higher when subjects had CD4 cell count <200 cells/mm(3); were not on antiretroviral therapy; in those who had, a body mass index <18.5 kg/m(2), anemia (or were not tested for it), were illiterate or referred previous tuberculosis treatment at entry into the cohort. Those not treated for latent TB infection had a much higher risk (HR = 7.9) of tuberculosis than those with a negative tuberculin skin test (TST). Having a TST≥5 mm but not being treated for latent TB infection increased the risk of incident tuberculosis even in those with a history of previous tuberculosis. CONCLUSIONS: Preventive actions to reduce the risk of TB in people living with HIV should include an appropriate HAART and treatment for latent TB infection in those with TST≥5 mm. The actions towards enabling rigorous implementation of treatment of latent TB infection and targeting of PLHIV drug users both at the individual and in public health level can reduce substantially the incidence of TB in PLHIV.