Screening and evaluation of lymphatic filariasis in immigrants from endemic countries residing in a focus where it is considered eliminated in the Southern Region of Brazil: A risk of reemergence?

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) has been targeted by the World Health Organization for elimination by the year 2020. However, migration of infected individuals from areas where LF is endemic to areas considered non-endemic or foci for the control and elimination may jeopardize the achievement of this goal. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the occurrence of filarial infection by way of circulating filarial antigen (CFA) circulation using the point of care AD12-immunochromatography card (POC-ICT) among immigrants from Haiti residing in Chapecó, Santa Catarina, between May and October 2015. Of the 420 subjects examined, 77.4% were male, aged 19-54 years. Ten (2.38%) were POC-ICT positive. Of this total, one was not found. Two individuals were negative for Og4C3-ELISA and DNA/Wb-PCR in all biological samples, but positive for the anti-filarial antibody Bm14 and only one showed microfilaremia (1mf/mL). These findings point to the importance of the Brazilian surveillance action to reduce the possibility of reintroduction of LF in Chapecó, Santa Catarina, by infected immigrants, and to guarantee the success of the National LF Elimination Plan.

Foot length in newborns small for gestational age.

Small for gestational age (SGA) newborns have increased neonatal morbidity and mortality besides having a high risk of contracting chronic diseases during adult life. We compared foot length among 700 SGA and AGA newborns. Foot length was shorter in SGA newborns, both in term and preterm babies. Fetal growth restriction may impair foot growth and this finding may contribute to identify SGA newborns.

Detection of Wuchereria bancrofti DNA in paired serum and urine samples using polymerase chain reaction-based systems

The Global Program for the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) aims to eliminate this disease by the year 2020. However, the development of more specific and sensitive tests is important for the success of the GPELF. The present study aimed to standardise polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based systems for the diagnosis of filariasis in serum and urine. Twenty paired biological urine and serum samples from individuals already known to be positive for Wuchereria bancrofti were collected during the day. Conventional PCR and semi-nested PCR assays were optimised. The detection limit of the technique for purified W. bancrofti DNA extracted from adult worms was 10 fg for the internal systems (WbF/Wb2) and 0.1 fg by using semi-nested PCR. The specificity of the primers was confirmed experimentally by amplification of 1 ng of purified genomic DNA from other species of parasites. Evaluation of the paired urine and serum samples by the semi-nested PCR technique indicated only two of the 20 tested individuals were positive, whereas the simple internal PCR system (WbF/Wb2), which has highly promising performance, revealed that all the patients were positive using both samples. This study successfully demonstrated the possibility of using the PCR technique on urine for the diagnosis of W. bancrofti infection.

Detection of Wuchereria bancrofti DNA in paired serum and urine samples using polymerase chain reaction-based systems.

The Global Program for the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) aims to eliminate this disease by the year 2020. However, the development of more specific and sensitive tests is important for the success of the GPELF. The present study aimed to standardise polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based systems for the diagnosis of filariasis in serum and urine. Twenty paired biological urine and serum samples from individuals already known to be positive for Wuchereria bancrofti were collected during the day. Conventional PCR and semi-nested PCR assays were optimised. The detection limit of the technique for purified W. bancrofti DNA extracted from adult worms was 10 fg for the internal systems (WbF/Wb2) and 0.1 fg by using semi-nested PCR. The specificity of the primers was confirmed experimentally by amplification of 1 ng of purified genomic DNA from other species of parasites. Evaluation of the paired urine and serum samples by the semi-nested PCR technique indicated only two of the 20 tested individuals were positive, whereas the simple internal PCR system (WbF/Wb2), which has highly promising performance, revealed that all the patients were positive using both samples. This study successfully demonstrated the possibility of using the PCR technique on urine for the diagnosis of W. bancrofti infection.

[Identification of the nursing diagnosis of fall risk in elderly with stroke]. / Identificação do diagnóstico de enfermagem "risco de quedas em idosos com acidente vascular cerebral.

The purpose of this study was to verify the presence of a nursing diagnosis of fall risk in elderly with stroke. Observational exploratory and cross-sectional study with descrziptive analysis. Performed in a charitable rehabilitation association in Fortaleza city, from January to March 2010, by primary source, by interviews and physical examination with elderly people who had at least one episode of stroke 37 individuals participated of which 20 (54.1%) were women, with mean age of 70.6years, and 18 (48.6%) lived with a partner and had an average of 5.2 years of study. The risk of falls was found in all elderly. Among the risk factors identified it is possible to highlight Impaired balance (100%), Age above 65 years (83.7%), and Proprioceptive deficit (83.7%). Nurses must consider the risk of falls as a nursing carefocus and implement and evaluate the results of interventions for fall prevention.

Identificação do diagnóstico de enfermagem "risco de quedas em idosos com acidente vascular cerebral" / Identification of the nursing diagnosis of fall risk in elderly with stroke / Identificación del diagnóstico de enfermería riesgo de caídas en ancianos con accidente cerebrovascular

Estudo proposto para verificar a presença do diagnóstico de enfermagem (DE) "Risco de quedas de idosos com acidente vascular cerebral (AVC)". Trata-se de estudo observacional, exploratório, transversal, com análise descritiva, realizado em uma associação beneficente de reabilitação em Fortaleza/CE, Brasil, de janeiro a março de 2010, por fonte primária, com entrevista e exame físico, com idosos que tiveram pelo menos um episódio de AVC. Participaram 37 indivíduos: 20 (54,1%) mulheres, média de 70,6 anos; 18 (48,6%) residiam com companheiro, média de 5,2 anos de estudo. O Risco de quedas foi identificado em todos os idosos. Dentre os fatores de risco identificados, destacaram-se: Equilíbrio prejudicado (100%), Idade acima de 65 anos (83,7%) e Déficit proprioceptivo (83,7%). Os enfermeiros devem considerar o risco de quedas como um dos enfoques do cuidado de enfermagem, bem como implementar e avaliar os resultados de intervenções relativas à prevenção de quedas.

The purpose of this study was to verify the presence of a nursing diagnosis of fall risk in elderly with stroke. Observational, exploratory and cross-sectional study with descriptive analysis. Performed in a charitable rehabilitation association in Fortaleza city, from January to March 2010, by primary source, by interviews and physical examination with elderly people who had at least one episode of stroke. 37 individuals participated, of which 20 (54.1%) were women, with mean age of 70.6 years, and 18 (48.6%) lived with a partner and had an average of 5.2 years of study. The risk of falls was found in all elderly. Among the risk factors identified, it is possible to highlight: Impaired balance (100%), Age above 65 years (83.7%), and Proprioceptive deficit (83.7%). Nurses must consider the risk of falls as a nursing care focus and implement and evaluate the results of interventions for fall prevention.

El propósito del estudio fue evaluar la presencia del diagnóstico de enfermería riesgo de caídas en pacientes ancianos con accidente cerebrovascular. Observacional, exploratorio, descriptivo y transversal. Desarrollado en asociación de rehabilitación en Fortaleza, de enero hasta marzo del 2010 por entrevistas de fuentes primarias y examen físico, hecho en personas con por lo menos un episodio de accidente cerebrovascular. 37 personas participaron, de los cuales 20 (54,1%) eran mujeres, con 70,6 años como promedio, 18 (48,6%) vivían con compañero, promedio de 5,2 años de estudio. El riesgo de caídas se encuentra en todas las personas mayores. Entre los factores de riesgo identificados se resalta: alteración del equilibrio (100%), Mayores de 65 años (83,7%) y Déficit propioceptivo (83,7%). Las enfermeras deben considerar el riesgo de caídas como el foco de atención de enfermería, así como desarrollar y evaluar los resultados de intervenciones para la prevención de caídas.

Cuidador de cliente com acidente vascular encefálico: associação com diagnósticos de enfermagem / Carer of client with stroke: association to nursing diagnoses / Cuidador de clientes con enfermedad cerebrovascular: asociación con los diagnósticos de enfermería

O objetivo do estudo foi analisar a associação entre a presença do cuidador de clientes com acidente vascular encefálico e os diagnósticos de enfermagem da classe atividade/exercício da North American Nursing Diagnosis Association (NANDA). Estudo transversal, desenvolvido com 121 clientes que frequentavam uma das oito unidades da Associação Beneficente Cearense de Reabilitação na cidade de Fortaleza-Ceará, cuja coleta de dados ocorreu no período de novembro de 2007 a março de 2008. Para a coleta de dados utilizou-se um formulário e as informações foram coletadas por meio de entrevista e exame físico. Para nomeação dos diagnósticos de enfermagem seguiu-se como referência a Taxonomia II da NANDA. O nível de significância adotado no estudo foi 5%. Quanto aos dados sociodemográficos, a maioria dos participantes era do sexo masculino, idosos, sem companheiros, aposentados ou pensionistas com baixa escolaridade e baixa renda per capita. A maioria dos clientes tinha um cuidador (88%). A presença do cuidador teve associação estatística com os diagnósticos de enfermagem Estilo de vida sedentário (p=0,002), Risco de síndrome do desuso (p=0,02) e Capacidade de transferência prejudicada (p=0,01). Diante desta circunstância, o enfermeiro deve orientar os cuidadores sobre a assistência domiciliar adequada do cliente que sobreviveu ao acidente vascular encefálico.