Visceral leishmaniasis lethality in Brazil: an exploratory analysis of associated demographic and socioeconomic factors

Abstract INTRODUCTION: It is believed that delays in diagnosis and treatment of Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) contribute significantly to the burden of VL lethality in Brazil. METHODS: This study included several parts: a descriptive cross-sectional study of the individual characteristics of deaths from disease; a descriptive ecological study of the spatial distribution of deaths from disease; and an ecological analytical study to evaluate the association between disease lethality rates and the demographic, socioeconomic, and health indicators. The study population comprised all cases diagnosed throughout the country per the National Disease Notification System (SINAN) and the total number of disease deaths recorded in the Mortality Information System (SIM) from 2007 to 2012. RESULTS: Of the 223 deaths from disease captured by pairing the databases, 59.1% were reported as "death from other causes". There were significant associations between VL lethality rate and municipalities with the highest proportion of vulnerable individuals (rate ratio (RR)=1.18, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01-1.27), with VL lower incidence rate (RR=0.62, 95% CI: 0.58-0.67) and a higher incidence rate of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) (RR=1.20, 95% CI: 1.17-1.51). CONCLUSIONS: Linking the SINAN and SIM databases allowed the inclusion of 14% of otherwise underreported deaths from VL for the study period, showing that this method is useful for the surveillance of VL-related deaths. The size of the municipal population, proportion of the vulnerable population, incidence of disease, and the incidence of AIDS were associated with municipal lethality rates related to VL in Brazil.

A cross-sectional approach including dog owner characteristics as predictors of visceral leishmaniasis infection in dogs

BACKGROUND Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is relevant for human and animal public health. Several factors have been associated with the risk of Leishmania infantum infection in dogs. However, dog owner characteristics have been rarely explored. OBJECTIVES To estimate the prevalence and to identify the associated factors for VL infection including dog owners characteristics. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted including dogs from an endemic canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) region in the Federal District, Brazil. The infection was detected using parasitological, serological, and molecular methods. The associated factors were identified through Poisson regression modelling. FINDINGS The prevalence of infection was 26.25% [95% confidence interval (CI): 20.05 to 33.57]. The associated factors were: short coat prevalence ratio (PR) = 2.33 (95% CI: 1.02 to 5.22); presence of backyard with predominance of soil and/or vegetation PR = 4.15 (95% CI: 1.35 to 12.77); and highest gross family income score PR = 2.03 (95% CI: 1.16 to 3.54). MAIN CONCLUSION This is the first study that relates higher socioeconomic status of dog owners as an independent factor associated with higher prevalence of VL infection, along with other strongly associated factors related to receptive environment for phlebotomines. Our findings strengthen the need for exploration of the biological and behavioural bases linking dog owner characteristics to the risk of canine infection in prospective cohort studies.

Socioeconomic context of the community and chronic child malnutrition in Colombia / Contexto socioeconómico de la comunidad y desnutrición crónica infantil en Colombia

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To analyze the influence of the socioeconomic context of the community on chronic child malnutrition in Colombia. METHODS We estimated multilevel logistic models using data from the National Demographic and Health Survey in Colombia in 2010. The final sample included 11,448 children under the age of five gathered in 3,528 communities. In addition, we used the Principal Component Analysis with polychoric correlations for the construction of composed indicators of wealth, autonomy of the woman, and the use and access to the health system. RESULTS The average level of community wealth was significantly and independently associated with chronic malnutrition in early childhood, more than the socioeconomic status of the household itself. At the individual and household level, the probability of chronic malnutrition was higher for children from mothers with low levels of autonomy and use and access to the health system, mothers who had their first child in adolescence, and mothers who live in homes in the lowest wealth quintiles. In contrast, children from mothers with a body mass index > 25 and with at least secondary education (versus no education) were less likely to suffer from chronic malnutrition. CONCLUSIONS Research, programs, and interventions need to take into account the physical, economic, and social context of communities to contribute with the improvement of the nutritional status of early childhood in Colombia.

RESUMEN OBJETIVO Analizar la influencia del contexto socioeconómico de la comunidad sobre la desnutrición infantil crónica en Colombia. MÉTODOS Utilizando datos de la Encuesta Nacional de Demografía y Salud en Colombia en 2010, se estimaron modelos logísticos multinivel. La muestra final incluyó 11.448 niños menores de cinco años anidados en 3.528 comunidades. Además, se utilizó el Análisis de Componentes Principales usando correlaciones policóricas para la construcción de indicadores compuestos de riqueza, autonomía de la mujer y el uso y acceso al sistema de salud. RESULTADOS El nivel de riqueza promedio de la comunidad resultó significativa e independientemente asociado con la desnutrición crónica en la primera infancia, por encima y más allá del propio estatus socioeconómico del hogar. A nivel individual y del hogar, la probabilidad de desnutrición crónica fue mayor para niños de madres con bajos niveles de autonomía y uso y acceso al sistema de salud, que han tenido su primer hijo en la adolescencia y que viven en hogares en los quintiles más bajos de riqueza. En contraste, niños de madres con un índice de masa corporal > 25 y con al menos educación secundaria (versus sin educación) tuvieron menor probabilidad de padecer desnutrición crónica. CONCLUSIONES Investigaciones, programas e intervenciones que tengan en cuenta el contexto físico, económico y social de las comunidades son necesarias para contribuir a mejorar el estado nutricional de la primera infancia en Colombia.

Hepatitis E: un virus infrecuente o un agente infrecuentemente pensado? / [Hepatitis E: an infrequent virus or an unfrecuently investigated agent?].

Two cases of hepatitis E that were assisted in our Unit of Hepatology and Liver Transplantation are described in this article. The first patient had prior hepatic involvement and therefore a more severe course, whereas the second case, with normal liver function, only developed a self-limited acute hepatitis.

Oportunidades perdidas de avaliação sorológica para a infecção pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana na rotina de atendimento ambulatorial do Hospital Universitário de Brasília, Distrito Federal / Missed opportunities for serological evaluation of human immunodeficiency virus infection during routine outpatient care at the University Hospital of Brasilia, Federal District

Foram estudados os fatores envolvidos na oferta de sorologia para detectar a infecção pelo vírus de imunodeficiência humana, no atendimento de adultos no ambulatório do Hospital Universitário de Brasília, por meio de aplicação de questionários específicos a 53 médicos e 347 usuários. Os resultados revelaram que 96,8 por cento dos usuários identificaram como fator de risco para adquirir a infecção as relações sexuais desprotegidas e 13,6 por cento desconheciam a possibilidade de transmissão vertical. Em relação à exposição dos usuários aos fatores de risco, 88,2 por cento praticaram relações sexuais desprotegidas, 22,2 por cento tiveram diagnóstico de outras doenças de transmissão sexual e 22,2 por cento tinham recebido transfusões sangüíneas. Os fatores de risco mais questionados pelos médicos foram a prática de relações sexuais desprotegidas e o diagnóstico prévio de hepatite B ou C (35,9 por cento para ambos). Dezoito por cento dos usuários receberam oferta de testes no Hospital Universitário de Brasília; 15,8 por cento foram testados e 7,4 por cento dos indivíduos testados não tiveram acesso ao resultado. Noventa e um por cento dos médicos referiram sentir-se confortáveis ao oferecer testes e apenas 30,4 por cento oferecem-nos rotineiramente. O estudo confirma a perda de oportunidades de testagem sorológica para detectar a infecção no Hospital Universitário de Brasília e reforça a necessidade de implementar medidas para corrigir o problema.

The factors involved in the provision of serological testing to detect human immunodeficiency virus infection, for adults within the outpatient care setting at the University Hospital of Brasilia, were studied. Specific questionnaires were applied to 53 physicians and 347 users. The results showed that 96.8 percent of the users identified unprotected sexual intercourse as a risk factor for acquiring this infection and that 13.6 percent were unaware of possibility of vertical transmission. Regarding users' exposure to risk factors, 88.2 percent practiced unprotected sexual intercourse, 22.2 percent had a diagnosis of other sexually transmitted diseases and 22.2 percent had received blood transfusions. The risk factors that physicians asked about most frequently were unprotected sexual practices and previous diagnoses of hepatitis B or C (35.9 percent for each). Eighteen percent of the users had been offered tests at the University Hospital of Brasilia; 15.8 percent underwent tests and 7.4 percent of the individuals tested had not had access to the results. Ninety-one percent of the physicians said that they felt comfortable about offering tests, while only 30.4 percent offered them routinely. The study confirms that opportunities for serological testing to detect this infection at the University Hospital of Brasilia have been missed and reinforces the need to implement measures to correct this problem.

Efeito de uma formulação hidrofílica de paromomicina tópica na leishmaniose cutânea em pacientes com contra-indicações de tratamento com antimonial pentavalente / Effect of a hydrophilic formulation of topical paromomycin on cutaneous leishmaniasis among patients with contraindications for treatment with pentavalent antimonials

Descrevem-se o efeito terapêutico e os eventos adversos associados com o uso tópico de paromomicina 10 por cento em gel na leishmaniose cutânea. Quinze pacientes com leishmaniose cutânea cumpriram os critérios de inclusão descritos a seguir: contra-indicação para o uso de antimoniato de meglumina, intradermorreação de Montenegro positiva e até quatro lesões ulceradas. A fórmula foi prescrita duas vezes ao dia por 20 dias. Quatorze pacientes estiveram disponíveis para a avaliação do desfecho terapêutico e a proporção de cura foi de 21,4 por cento (3/14), 50 por cento melhoraram até a epitelização completa e a proporção de falha foi de 28,6 por cento. Nove pacientes que não apresentaram cura inicialmente foram re-tratados. Oito receberam uma nova série de paromomicina tópica e um foi tratado com antimoniato de meglumina. Dois pacientes não receberam novo tratamento e tiveram melhora lenta e contínua. Cinco de oito pacientes retratados com paromomicina tópica alcançaram a cura clínica, e três apresentaram falha, incluindo um paciente que tinha apresentado melhora com o primeiro tratamento. Os eventos adversos foram leves e locais em 53,3 por cento dos pacientes e nunca levaram à suspensão do tratamento.

The therapeutic effect of and adverse events associated with topical use of 10 percent paromomycin gel on cutaneous leishmaniasis are described. Fifteen patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis fulfilled the following inclusion criteria: contraindication for the use of meglumine antimoniate, positive Montenegro skin test and up to four ulcerated lesions. The formula was prescribed twice a day for 20 days. Fourteen patients were available for the therapeutic outcome evaluation. The cure rate was 21.4 percent (3/14); 50 percent improved as far as complete epithelialization; and the failure rate was 28.6 percent. Nine patients who did not initially present cure were retreated. Eight received a new series of topical paromomycin and one was treated with meglumine antimoniate. Two patients did not receive any new treatment and had continuous slow improvement. Five out of the eight patients retreated with topical paromomycin achieved clinical cure, and three presented failure, including one patient who had shown any improvement with the first treatment. For 53.3 percent of the patients, the adverse events were mild and local and never led to treatment suspension.

Prevalence of primary sclerosing cholangitis in patients with ulcerative colitis and the risk of developing malignancies: a large prospective study / Prevalencia de colangitis esclerosante primaria en pacientes con colitis ulcerosa y el riesgo de desarrollar malignidades: un extenso estudio prospectivo

Background/aim: primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is associated with ulcerative colitis (UC) and seems to be a risk factor for colon cancer. However, taking into account that no data are available in South American population, we analyzed the prevalence of PSC in 1.333 patients with UC and the risk for developing colon cancer. Material: patients with persistent increases of alkaline phosphatase were studied by cholangiography and liver biopsy. To assess the risk of colon cancer, each patient with PSC and UC was matched with two control patients with UC without PSC of the same age, gender, extent and duration of UC. Results: the whole prevalence of PSC was 2.9% (39 patients) reaching 6.2% in extensive colitis. Seven (18 %) out of 39 patients with PSC developed colorectal carcinoma compared with 2 out of 78 (2.6%) in the control group (p=0.006). The cumulative risk of colorectal carcinoma was 11% and 18% after 10 and 20 years in the PSC group compared with 2% and 7% in the control group, respectively (p=0.002). Conclusion: this is the first prospective study performed in Latin America showing that the prevalence of PSC in patients with UC is similar to that reported in the Anglo-Saxon population. Patients with UC and PSC have a high risk of colorectal cancer.

Introducción/objetivos: la colangitis esclerosante primaria (CEP) se asocia a colitis ulcerosa (CU) y parece ser un factor de riesgo para cáncer de colon. Sin embargo, teniendo en cuenta que no existen datos disponibles en población de Sudamérica, nosotros analizamos la prevalencia de CEP en 1.333 pacientes con CU y el riesgo de desarrollar cáncer de colon. Material: los pacientes con fosfatasa alcalina persistentemente elevada fueron estudiados con colangiografía y biopsia hepática. Para determinar el riesgo de cáncer de colon cada paciente con CEP y CU fueron apareados con dos pacientes controles con CU sin CEP de la misma edad, sexo, extensión y duración de la CU. Resultados: la prevalencia total de CEP fue de 2.9% (39 pacientes), alcanzando una prevalencia del 6.2% en colitis extensa. Siete (18%) de 39 pacientes con CEP desarrollaron cáncer colorectal comparado con 2 de 78 en el grupo control (p=0.006). El riesgo acumulado de cáncer colorectal fue 11 y 18% después de 10 y 20 años en el grupo con CEP comparado con 2 y 7% en el grupo control, respectivamente (p=0.002). Conclusión: este es el primer estudio prospectivo realizado en Latinoamérica mostrando que la prevalencia de CEP en pacientes con CU es similar a la reportada en población anglosajona. Los pacientes con CU y CEP tienen un alto riesgo de cáncer colorectal.

Predictores de mortalidad hospitalaria en la hemorragia digestiva alta variceal por hepatopatía crónica tratada endoscópicamente / Predictors of intrahospitalary mortality in the upper gastrointestinal variceal bleeding due to chronic liver disease treated endoscopically

La hemorragia digestiva alta variceal es una de las complicaciones más graves en la hepatopatía crónica. El objetivo de este trabajo es identificar variables que predicen mortalidad hospitalaria. Material y métodos: 106 internaciones por esta patología desde octubre de 2001 hasta abril de 2006 en diseño de cohortes. Se confrontó mortalidad hospitalaria con edad, sexo, etiología de la hepatopatía, score APACHE II al ingreso, imensión de las várices evaluada endoscópicamente, severidad de la insuficiencia hepática evaluada por clases de Child Pugh, antecedente de hemorragia variceal, fracaso de la terapia endoscópica inicial, fracaso hemostático en las primeras 48hs y resangrado posterior a 48hs. Para identificar predictores independientes de mortalidad se seleccionaron todas las variables que correlacionaron significativamente con muerte hospitalaria. Para la variable cuantitativa score APACHE II de ingreso se consideró el valor que mejor discriminó mortalidad. Resultados: los predictores independientes de muerte hospitalaria fueron: el fracaso de la terapia endoscópica inicial (p=0,005), el fracaso hemostático en las primeras 48hs (p=0,012) y la clase C de Child Pugh (p=0,024). Si bien en el sexo masculino el score APACHE II al ingreso y el resangrado con posterioridad a las 48hs también correlacionaron con mortalimortalidad, no calificaron como predictores independientes. Conclusión: en portadores de hepatopatía crónica con hemorragia digestiva alta variceal y primera línea de tratamiento endoscópico, resultaron predictores independientes de muerte hospitalaria: 1) el fracaso de la terapia endoscópica hemostática inicial, 2) el fracaso hemostático en las primeras 48hs, y 3) la clase C de Child Pugh al ingreso.

Upper gastrointestinal variceal bleeding is one of the most serious complications in patients with chronic liver disease. The aim of this trial is to identify in hospital mortality predictors in this illness. Material and methods: 106 hospitalizations due to this disease from October 2001 to April 2006 in cohort design. In hospital mortality was confronted with age, sex, liver disease etiology, Apache II score at admission, variceal severity, severity of the hepatic failure evaluated according to the Child Pugh's classes, a history of variceal bleeding, initial endoscopic treatment failure, haemostatic failure within the first 48 hours, and rebleeding after 48 hours from admission. In order to identify independent mortality predictors, all the variables correlated significantly with hospital mortality were selected. For the quantitative variable APACHE II score at admission, the best mortality discrimination value was chosen. Results: independent in hospital mortality predictors were: initial endoscopic treatment failure (p = 0,005), haemostatic failure in the first 48 hours (p = 0,012), and Child Pugh C class (p = 0,024). Although male sex, Apache II score at admission and rebleeding after 48 hours were also significantly related to mortality by univaried model, they did not qualify as independent predictors. Conclusions: the independent predictors of intrahospitalary mortality in patients with variceal bleeding due to chronic liver disease, and firstline of endoscopic treatment were: 1) Initial haemostatic endoscopic treatment failure, 2) Haemostatic failure in the first 48hs, and 3) Child Pugh C class hepatic failure at admission.

Febre crônica associada a abscesso esplênico causado por Staphylococcus epidermidis / Chronic fever associated with splenic abscess due to Staphylococcus epidermidis

Abscessos ocultos são causa freqüente de febre crônica. Os abscessos esplênicos são entidades raras, usualmente associadas a quadros subjacentes de cirurgia abdominal, endocardite ou imunodepressão. Apresenta-se um caso de paciente com febre prolongada causada por um abscesso esplênico, cujo principal diagnóstico diferencial era leishmaniose visceral, que provavelmente esteve associado a traumatismo abdominal. O tratamento consistiu em antibioticoterapia seguida de esplenectomia.

Occult abscesses are frequent causes of chronic fever. Splenic abscesses are rare entities that are usually associated with underlying conditions such as abdominal surgery, endocarditis or immunodepression. We report on the case of a patient with prolonged fever caused by a splenic abscess, whose main differential diagnosis was visceral leishmaniasis. However, this condition was probably related to abdominal trauma. The treatment consisted of antibiotics followed by splenectomy.

Pulmonary thromboembolism in AIDS patient with chronic venous insufficiency, pulmonary tuberculosis and breast cancer: a case report and pathophysiology review

Publicações recentes relatam episódios trombóticos em pacientes infectados pelo HIV associados a outras condições que incluem neoplasias e infecções que predispõem para um estado de hipercoagulabilidade. Relata-se o caso de uma paciente de 47 anos portadora do HIV que desenvolveu tromboembolismo pulmonar, tuberculose pulmonar e câncer de mama. Foi tratada com rifampicina, isoniazida, pirazinamida, heparina, femprocumona, zidovudina, lamivudina e efavirenz. Bacilos ácido-álcool-resistentes foram observados no exame de escarro e três meses depois foi isolado o Mycobacterium tuberculosis da biópsia de linfonodo durante um episódio de reconstituição imune. A micobactéria isolada demonstrou sensibilidade a todas as drogas anti-tuberculosas de primeira linha. A infecção pelo HIV, o câncer de mama e a tuberculose pulmonar possuem vários mecanismos que induzem um estado de hipercoagulabilidade e que podem produzir complicações tromboembólicas incluindo o TEP nos pacientes com AIDS. O TEP nesta paciente foi um desafio diagnóstico, considerando todas as outras doenças graves que apresentou simultaneamente.