Exploring the Resurgence of a Neglected Disease: Lessons From the 2023-2024 Mpox Outbreak in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Following the 2022 global mpox outbreak, diagnoses decreased worldwide, even in settings with limited vaccine access. In 2023-2024, a new outbreak emerged in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, highlighting the importance of continuous surveillance, preventive measures such as vaccination in vulnerable populations, and treatment options, emphasizing equitable global health technology distribution.

The rising tide of HIV among young men who have sex with men in Brazil: insights from the Conectad@s study.

Background: Young gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (YMSM) in Latin America experience disproportionately high rates of HIV. While new case numbers have stabilised in other demographics, the incidence of HIV in this particular group continues to rise. We estimated the prevalence of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI) and identified correlates of new HIV diagnoses among YMSM in Brazil. Methods: Conectad@s was a respondent-driven sampling-based study to recruit and engage YMSM in HIV prevention and treatment services in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (November 2021-October 2022). Eligibility criteria were age 18-24 years and self-identification as MSM (cis/trans) or non-binary person who have sex with men. Participants underwent HIV/STI testing and completed a socio-behavioural questionnaire. We described baseline characteristics by HIV status and used logistic regression models to identify correlates of new HIV diagnoses. Trial ID: DERR1-10.2196/34885. Findings: Among 409 participants, 370 (90.5%) self-identified as cisgender men, nine (2.2%) transgender men, and 30 (7.3%) non-binary. Median age was 21 years (IQR: 20-23), with 80 (19.6%) aged 18-19 years. Most self-identified as Black or Pardo (70.6%); 109 (26.7%) never tested for HIV. HIV prevalence was 9.8%; 50% (n = 20/40) were newly diagnosed with HIV. Only nine participants ever used PrEP and three were currently using it. Overall, 133 (32.5%) reported sexual violence in their lifetime and 102 (24.9%) reported a suicide attempt. Prevalence of active syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhoea were 14.4%, 15.9%, and 14.7%, respectively. New HIV diagnoses were positively associated with engaging in high-risk behaviour (aOR 4.88 [95% CI: 1.88-13.40]) and anxiety (aOR 2.67 [95% CI: 1.01-7.70]), and negatively associated with ever disclosing sexual orientation (aOR 0.19 [95% CI: 0.04-0.92]) and HIV knowledge (aOR 0.77 [95% CI: 0.59-1.01]). Interpretation: High prevalence of HIV coupled with a high proportion of new HIV diagnoses underscore a potentially growing HIV epidemic among YMSM in Brazil. Funding: National Institutes of Health (NIH), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) and Ministry of Health of Brazil.

Mpox severity and associated hospitalizations among people with HIV and related immunosuppression in Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to analyze characteristics of mpox hospitalization in a Brazilian cohort, further exploring the impact of HIV on mpox-related outcomes and hospitalization. DESIGN: We conducted a descriptive analysis, comparing characteristics of individuals diagnosed with mpox according to hospitalization and HIV status, and described the mpox cases among those living with HIV. METHODS: This was a single-center, prospective cohort study conducted at a major infectious diseases referral center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, that enrolled participants older than 18 years of age diagnosed with mpox. Information was collected on standardized forms, including data on sociodemographic, behavioral, clinical and laboratory characteristics. For comparisons, we used chi-squared, Fisher's exact and the Moods median tests whenever appropriate. RESULTS: From June to December, 2022, we enrolled 418 individuals diagnosed with mpox, of whom 52% were people with HIV (PWH). PWH presented more frequently with fever, anogenital lesions and proctitis. The overall hospitalization rate was 10.5% ( n  = 43), especially for pain control. Among hospitalized participants, PWH had more proctitis and required invasive support. Mpox severity was related to poor HIV continuum of care outcomes and low CD4 + cell counts. All deaths ( n  = 2) occurred in PWH with CD4 + less than 50 cells/µl. CONCLUSION: HIV-related immunosuppression likely impacts mpox clinical outcomes. This is of special concern in settings of poor adherence and late presentation to care related to socioeconomic inequalities, such as Brazil. The HIV continuum of care must be taken into account when responding to the mpox outbreak.

Mpox, sexually transmitted infections and combination prevention: insights from a major cohort in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of concurrent bacterial sexually transmitted infections (bSTIs) among individuals with mpox. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study of participants aged 18 years or older with confirmed mpox conducted in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This cross-sectional analysis include only participants who underwent bSTI testing at baseline between June 2022 and January 2024. METHODS: Participants were offered testing for chlamydia/gonorrhea (NAAT, anorectal swabs) and syphilis (active diagnosis if VDRL ≥ 1/8). Baseline prevalence of bSTIs was calculated, and participant characteristics were described based on bSTI diagnosis (yes/no). Chi-squared/Fisher's tests were used for qualitative variables, and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test for quantitative variables. RESULTS: Out of 634 enrolled participants, 538 (84.9%) were tested for STIs and included in this analysis, mostly cisgender men, aged 30-39 years with post-secondary education. Overall prevalence of concurrent bSTI was 37.3%, mainly syphilis, followed by chlamydia and gonorrhea. Half of the participants had HIV coinfection, and one-third were on PrEP. Concurrent bSTI diagnosis at the time of mpox assessment was associated with being aged 30-39 years, self-identifying as cisgender men, having HIV-positive status, reporting proctitis symptoms and reporting any STI in the past 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Our data reveals a notable prevalence of concurrent STIs among participants with confirmed mpox at a prominent infectious diseases' referral center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. These findings underscore the importance of integrating mpox into the differential diagnosis of anogenital manifestations and to promote combination prevention strategies within sexual health care services.

The first case of acute HIV and monkeypox coinfection in Latin America

ABSTRACT Monkeypox (MPX) transmission outside non-endemic countries has been reported since May 2022, rapidly evolving into a multi-country outbreak. A potential role of sexual contact in transmission dynamics, as well as a predominance of anogenitallesions, are remarkable features of current cases. Screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) plays an important role in the evaluation of patients with suspected MPX infection. Herein we report the first case of a patient diagnosed with both MPX and acute HIV infection in Latin America. He had no major complications during his clinical course, and antiretroviral therapy was promptly initiated. Diagnosis of acute HIV requires a high level of suspicion and appropriate laboratory investigation. Health practitioners need to consider this diagnosis while evaluating patients with suspected MPX with a recent unprotected sexual contact.

Would the Brazilian population support the alcohol policies recommended by the World Health Organization?

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To evaluate the support of the Brazilian population to the alcohol-policies proposed by the World Health Organization to decrease alcohol harm (specifically: to decrease alcohol availability and advertising, and to increase pricing). In addition, we evaluated the factors associated with being against those policies. METHODS Data from 16,273 Brazilians, aged 12-65 years, interviewed in the 3rd Brazilian Household Survey on Substance Use (BHSU-3) were analyzed. The BHSU-3 is a nationwide, probability survey conducted in 2015. Individuals were asked if they would be against, neutral, or in favor of seven alcohol policies grouped as: 1) Strengthen restrictions on alcohol availability; 2) Enforce bans or restrictions on alcohol advertising, sponsorship, and promotion; and 3) Raise prices on alcohol through excise taxes and pricing. Generalized linear models were fitted to evaluate factors associated with being against each one of those policies and against all of policies. RESULTS Overall, 28% of the Brazilians supported all the above mentioned policies, whereas 16% were against them. The highest rate of approval refers to restricting advertising (53%), the lowest refers to increasing prices (40%). Factors associated with being against all policies were: being male (AOR = 1.1; 95%CI: 1.0-1.3), not having a religion (AOR = 1.4; 95%CI: 1.1-1.8), being catholic (AOR = 1.3; 95%CI: 1.1-1.5), and alcohol dependence (AOR = 1.6; 95%CI: 1.1-2.4). CONCLUSIONS The Brazilian government could count on the support of most of the population to restrict alcohol advertising. This information is essential to tackle the lobby of the alcohol industry and its clever marketing strategy.

O desempenho físico funcional reduzido antes da hospitalização prediz limitações de suporte de vida e mortalidade em pacientes não cirúrgicos de unidade de terapia intensiva / Reduced physical functional performance before hospitalization predicts life support limitations and mortality in nonsurgical intensive care unit patients

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar se as escalas de desempenho físico funcional e a pergunta surpresa ("Eu ficaria surpreso se esse paciente morresse em 6 meses?") predizem limitações de suporte de vida e mortalidade em pacientes críticos não cirúrgicos. Metódos: Participaram desta coorte prospectiva 114 pacientes admitidos do serviço de emergência em uma unidade de terapia intensiva. O desempenho físico funcional foi avaliado pelo Palliative Prognostic Score, pela Escala de Desempenho de Karnofsky e pela escala de Atividades de Vida Diária de Katz. Dois intensivistas responderam à pergunta surpresa. Resultados: Os escores de desempenho físico funcional propostos foram significativamente menores em pacientes com limitações de suporte de vida e naqueles que vieram a óbito durante a hospitalização. A resposta negativa à pergunta surpresa foi mais frequente no mesmo subgrupo de pacientes. A análise univariada ajustada mostrou aumento da razão de chances para limitações de suporte de vida e morte em relação à escala de Atividades de Vida Diária (1,35 [1,01 - 1,78] e 1,34 [1,0 - 1,79], respectivamente) e uma resposta negativa para a pergunta surpresa (42,35 [11,62 - 154,43] e 47,79 [11,41 - 200,25], respectivamente), com p < 0,05 para todos os resultados. Conclusão: Todas as escalas de desempenho físico funcional apresentaram escores mais baixos em não sobreviventes e em pacientes com limitações de suporte de vida. A redução da capacidade funcional prévia à internação e a resposta negativa à pergunta surpresa aumentaram as chances de limitações de suporte de vida e mortalidade em nossa coorte de pacientes não cirúrgicos da unidade de terapia intensiva com entrada no serviço de emergência.

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess whether scales of physical functional performance and the surprise question ("Would I be surprised if this patient died in 6 months?") predict life support limitations and mortality in critically ill nonsurgical patients. Methods: We included 114 patients admitted from the Emergency Department to an intensive care unit in this prospective cohort. Physical functional performance was assessed by the Palliative Prognostic Score, Karnofsky Performance Status, and the Katz Activities of Daily Living scale. Two intensivists responded to the surprise question. Results: The proposed physical functional performance scores were significantly lower in patients with life support limitations and those who died during the hospital stay. A negative response to the surprise question was more frequent in the same subset of patients. Adjusted univariable analysis showed an increased odds ratio for life support limitations and death regarding the activities of daily living scale (1.35 [1.01 - 1.78] and 1.34 [1.0 - 1.79], respectively) and a negative response for the surprise question (42.35 [11.62 - 154.43] and 47.79 [11.41 - 200.25], respectively); with a p < 0.05 for all results. Conclusion: All physical functional performance scales showed lower scores in nonsurvivors and patients with life support limitations. The activities of daily living score and the surprise question increased the odds of life support limitations and mortality in our cohort of nonsurgical intensive care unit patients admitted from the Emergency Department.

Representações sociais: identificando fatores que influenciam as ações de médicos e enfermeiros da Atenção Primária à Saúde no rastreio do câncer de mama / Social representations: identifying factors that influence the actions of physicians and nurses on primary health care in breast cancer screening

O câncer é uma condição patológica e a neoplasia de mama é a mais comum. O objetivo do estudo é identificar as representações sociais que influenciam as ações de médicos e enfermeiros das Unidades Básicas de Saúde de Colatina/ES no rastreio do câncer de mama. Trata-se de um estudo observacional, descritivo e de abordagem qualitativa, realizado entre agosto a novembro de 2019, com médicos e enfermeiros das equipes básicas das Estratégias da Saúde da Família de Colatina, localizado na região noroeste do Espírito Santo. Os dados foram coletados através de um questionário semiestruturado para levantamento das evocações mediante a pergunta norteadora. A análise lexical foi realizada pelo software IRaMuTeQ versão 0.7 Alpha 2 (2014) e posteriormente a elaboração de word cloud e análise de similitude das representações sociais. As evocações dos enfermeiros apontaram o vínculo mais próximo com as mulheres nas atividades de rastreio, já as evocações dos médicos elucidaram que o seu papel está mais atrelado às ações de diagnóstico e pareceres especializados. Diante dos pressupostos, as representações sociais do rastreio do câncer de mama entre médicos e enfermeiros foi "mamografia", sendo que ambos os profissionais assumem papéis importantes nas ações de detecção da neoplasia de mama.

Cancer is a pathological condition and breast cancer is the most common. The objective of the study is to identify the social representations that influence the actions of physicians and nurses from the Basic Health Units units in the city of Colatina/ES in breast cancer screening. This is an observational, descriptive and qualitative approach, conducted between August and November 2019 among physicians and nurses from the basic teams of the Family Health Strategies in Colatina, located in the northwest region of Espírito Santo. Data were collected through a semi- structured questionnaire to survey evocations through the guiding question. The lexical analysis was performed using the IRaMuTeQ software version 0.7 Alpha 2 (2014) and later the development of a word cloud and similarity analysis of social representations. Nurses' evocations pointed to the closest link with women in screening activities, while physicians' evocations elucidated that their role is more linked to diagnostic actions and specialized opinions. Given these assumptions, the social representations of breast cancer screening among physicians and nurses was "mammography", with both professionals playing important roles in breast cancer detection actions.

Fábrica da nutrição neoliberal: elementos para uma discussão sobre as novas abordagens comportamentais / Neoliberal nutrition factory: elements to discuss new behavioral approaches

Resumo A aplicação de teorias do comportamento em diversas áreas tem despertado o interesse em investigar como essas teorias são incorporadas pelo campo da Alimentação e Nutrição, problematizando sua interdisciplinaridade. Este artigo busca contextualizar a Nutrição como ciência e seu desenvolvimento num contexto social em que o neoliberalismo opera como sistema de gestão da vida política, econômica e social. Visam-se reunir elementos teóricos relativos à noção de comportamento extraídos do campo da psicologia a fim de contribuir para o aprofundamento das reflexões acerca da emergência de técnicas baseadas em teorias do comportamento, tais como a Nutrição Comportamental, o Mindful Eating e o Comer Intuitivo, além de apresentar ponderações sobre os limites relacionados à aplicação dessas abordagens na formação e na prática dos profissionais de saúde.

Abstract The application of behavioral theories in several areas has aroused the interest in investigating how these theories are incorporated by the field of Food and Nutrition, problematizing its interdisciplinarity. This paper aims to contextualize Nutrition as a science and its development in a social context in which neoliberalism operates as a system for managing political, economic, and social life. The aim is to gather theoretical elements related to the notion of behavior extracted from the field of Psychology in order to contribute to the deepening of reflections on the emergence of techniques based on theories of behavior, such as Behavioral Nutrition, Mindful Eating and Intuitive Eating, in addition to presenting considerations on the limits related to the application of these approaches in the training and practice of health professionals.

Pesquisa entomológica das espécies de triatomíneos encontradas na zona rural do município de Caruaru, estado de Pernambuco, Brasil, de 2011 a 2012 / Entomological research of triatomine species found in the rural area of Caruaru, Pernambuco State, Brazil, from 2011 to 2012

OBJETIVO: Descrever a presença de triatomíneos na área rural do município de Caruaru, estado de Pernambuco, Brasil, durante os anos de 2011 e 2012, apontando áreas de risco para a doença de Chagas, com base nos registros das principais espécies de triatomíneos. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Os dados sobre os triatomíneos, obtidos no banco de dados do Departamento de Controle de Vetores de Caruaru, foram: número de residências, presença de anexos nas casas, número de habitantes, tipo de moradia, presença de exemplares de triatomíneos, espécies identificadas e localização das moradias. RESULTADOS: Do total de 888 casas estudadas, 85,4% (758) eram construções de alvenaria com reboco, todas cobertas com teto de telhas, a maioria (34,1%; 303) tinha apenas um anexo e eram habitadas por 2.236 pessoas. Nas 75 (8,4%) casas onde foram encontrados triatomíneos (41 com anexos e 34 sem anexos), distribuídas em 32 localidades da zona rural de Caruaru, havia 211 (9,4%) habitantes. As espécies mais comuns encontradas nas residências foram Triatoma brasiliensis (26,8%), Panstrongylus lutzi (26,8%) e Triatoma pseudomaculata (12,2%). CONCLUSÃO: A alteração na distribuição das espécies, na área de estudo, demonstrou a adaptabilidade desses vetores à ação antrópica, reforçando a necessidade da elaboração de políticas educativas e do monitoramento constante nas áreas afetadas, visando à interrupção do ciclo de transmissão do Trypanosoma cruzi.