National survey regarding obstetricians' perspective of obstetric emergencies in Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: The maternal mortality rate in developing countries, such as Brazil, has significantly increased since 2020. Obstetric Emergencies (OE) account for 72.5% of these deaths. A national survey was conducted in Brazil to evaluate how gynecologists and obstetricians deal with OE and identify the main difficulties regarding theoretical/practical knowledge and structural resources. METHODS: An electronic questionnaire assessing resource availability, health teams, institutional protocols, and provision of OE training courses was completed by Brazilian obstetricians. RESULTS: More than 90 % of the questionnaire respondents reported treating a pregnant and/or puerperal patient with severe morbidity and that their health network has human resources, trained professionals, and structural resources required for this type of care. However, few respondents participate in continuing education programs (36 %) or specific training for the medical team (61.41 %). The implementation rates of obstetric risk identification protocols (33.09 %), a rapid response team (46.54 %), and boxes and emergency cart assembly teams (71.68 %) were determined. CONCLUSION: A high Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) may be related to disorganized healthcare systems, low implementation of risk classification protocols for the care of severe maternal and fetal conditions, and lack of access to continued/specific training programs. The Brazilian MMR is multifactorial. According to obstetricians, Brazilian health services include care teams, essential medications, obstetric centers, and clinical analysis laboratories, though they lack systematized processes and permanent professional training for qualified care of OE.

Do the oxidative stress biomarkers predict COVID-19 outcome? An in-hospital cohort study.

In SARSCoV-2 infections, excessive activation of the immune system dramatically elevates reactive oxygen species levels, harms cell structures, and directly increases disease severity and mortality. We aimed to evaluate whether plasma oxidative stress biomarker levels could predict mortality in adults admitted with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), considering potential confounders. We conducted a cohort study of 115 adults (62.1 ± 17.6 years, 65 males) admitted to a Brazilian public hospital for severely symptomatic COVID-19. Serum levels of α-tocopherol, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, malondialdehyde, and advanced oxidation protein products were quantified at COVID-19 diagnosis using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Serum levels of α-tocopherol, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and advanced oxidation protein products differed significantly between survivors and non-survivors. Serum glutathione levels below 327.2 µmol/mL were associated with a significant risk of death in COVID-19 patients, even after accounting for other factors (adjusted hazard ratio = 3.12 [95% CI: 1.83-5.33]).

Vitamin D deficiency predicts 30-day hospital mortality of adults with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Several studies have shown conflicting results for the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19 outcomes. Here, we aimed to evaluate whether plasma 25(OH)D levels predict mortality in adults admitted with COVID-19, considering potential confounders. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study that included 115 adults (age 62.1 ± 17.6 years, 65 males) admitted to a Brazilian public hospital for severely symptomatic COVID-19. Subjects were classified into two groups according to their plasma levels of 25(OH)D: sufficiency (≥50 nmol/L) and the deficiency (<50 nmol/L). The diagnosis of COVID-19 was performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). In addition, direct competitive chemiluminescence immunoassay assessed serum 25(OH)D levels. RESULTS: The all-cause 30-day mortality was 13.8% (95% CI: 6.5%-21%) in the group of patients with sufficient plasma 25(OH)D levels and 32.1% (95% CI: 14.8%-49.4%) among those with deficient plasma 25(OH)D levels. Cox regression showed that plasma 25(OH)D levels remained a significant predictor of mortality even after adjusting for the covariates sex, age, length of the delay between symptom onset and hospitalization, and disease severity (HR = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.96-1.00; p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency predicts higher mortality risk in adults with COVID-19.

Retraction notice to "Use of ivermectin in the treatment of Covid-19: A pilot trial" [Toxicol. Rep. 8 (2021) 505-510].

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2021.03.003.].

Impact of implementing an exclusively dedicated respiratory isolation room in a Brazilian tertiary emergency department.

BACKGROUND: Occupational risk due to airborne disease challenges healthcare institutions. Environmental measures are effective but their cost-effectiveness is still debatable and most of the capacity planning is based on occupational rates. Better indices to plan and evaluate capacity are needed. GOAL: To evaluate the impact of installing an exclusively dedicated respiratory isolation room (EDRIR) in a tertiary emergency department (ED) determined by a time-to-reach-facility method. METHODS: A group of patients in need of respiratory isolation were first identified--group I (2004; 29 patients; 44.1±3.4 years) and the occupational rate and time intervals (arrival to diagnosis, diagnosis to respiratory isolation indication and indication to effective isolation) were determined and it was estimated that adding an EDRIR would have a significant impact over the time to isolation. After implementing the EDRIR, a second group of patients was gathered in the same period of the year--group II (2007; 50 patients; 43.4±1.8 years) and demographic and functional parameters were recorded to evaluate time to isolation. Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for age, gender and inhospital respiratory isolation room availability were obtained. RESULTS: Implementing an EDRIR decreased the time from arrival to indication of respiratory isolation (27.5±9.3 × 3.7±2.0; p=0.0180) and from indication to effective respiratory isolation (13.3±3.0 × 2.94±1.06; p=0.003) but not the respiratory isolation duration and total hospital stay. The impact on crude isolation rates was very significant (8.9 × 75.4/100.000 patients; p<0.001). The HR for effective respiratory isolation was 26.8 (95% CI 7.42 to 96.9) p<0.001 greater for 2007. CONCLUSION: Implementing an EDRIR in a tertiary ED significantly reduced the time to respiratory isolation.

Comparison Between Short Text Messages and Phone Calls to Reduce No-Show Rates in Outpatient Medical Appointments: A Randomized Trial.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of telephone calls and short text messages (SMS) on no-show rates regarding scheduled appointments with a general practitioner. In a prospective, intervention-controlled, and randomized study, we divided 306 patients into 3 groups: telephone call, SMS, and no intervention. We compared no-show rates, as well as variables that influenced it. The lowest percentage of no-show (9.5%) occurred in the telephone call group, while the SMS group presented at 21% and the no-intervention group at 22.8% (P = .025). Telephone calls proved to be a superior strategy to text messaging.

Use of ivermectin in the treatment of Covid-19: A pilot trial.

OBJECTIVES: In this randomized open-label trial pilot study we assessed the antiviral effects and safety of various doses of ivermectin in patients with mild clinical symptoms of COVID-19. METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned to receive standard of care (SOC) treatment at hospital admission; SOC plus ivermectin 100 mcg/kg; SOC plus ivermectin 200 mcg/kg; or SOC plus ivermectin 400 mcg/kg. The primary assessed endpoint was the proportion of patients who achieved two consecutive negative SARS-CoV-2 RT PCR tests within 7 days of the start of the dosing period. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04431466). RESULTS: A total of 32 patients were enrolled and randomized to treatment. SOC treatment together with ivermectin did not result in any serious adverse events. All patients exhibited a reduction in SARS-CoV-2 viral load within 7 days; however, those who received ivermectin had a more consistent decrease as compared to the SOC alone group, characterized by a shorter time for obtaining two consecutive negative SARS-CoV-2 RT PCR tests. CONCLUSIONS: Ivermectin is safe in patients with SARS-CoV-2, reducing symptomatology and the SARS-CoV-2 viral load. This antiviral effect appears to depend on the dose used, and if confirmed in future studies, it suggests that ivermectin may be a useful adjuvant to the SOC treatment in patients with mild COVID-19 symptoms.

Triage and flow management in sepsis.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is a major public health problem, with a growing incidence and mortality rates still close to 30% in severe cases. The speed and adequacy of the treatment administered in the first hours of sepsis, particularly access to intensive care, are important to reduce mortality. This study compared the triage strategies and intensive care rationing between septic patients and patients with other indications of intensive care. This study included all patients with signs for intensive care, enrolled in the intensive care management system of a Brazilian tertiary public emergency hospital, from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2016. The intensivist periodically evaluated the requests, prioritizing them according to a semi-quantitative scale. Demographic data, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), and quick SOFA (qSOFA), as well as surgical interventions, were used as possible confounding factors in the construction of incremental logistic regression models for prioritization and admission to intensive care outcomes. RESULTS: The study analyzed 9195 ICU requests; septic patients accounted for 1076 cases (11.7%), 293 (27.2%) of which were regarded as priority 1. Priority 1 septic patients were more frequently hospitalized in the ICU than nonseptic patients (52.2% vs. 34.9%, p <  0.01). Septic patients waited longer for the vacancy, with a median delay time of 43.9 h (interquartile range 18.2-108.0), whereas nonseptic patients waited 32.5 h (interquartile range 11.5-75.8)-p <  0.01. Overall mortality was significantly higher in the septic group than in the group of patients with other indications for intensive care (72.3% vs. 39.8%, p <  0.01). This trend became more evident after the multivariate analysis, and the mortality odds ratio was almost three times higher in septic patients (2.7, 2.3-3.1). CONCLUSION: Septic patients had a lower priority for ICU admission and longer waiting times for an ICU vacancy than patients with other critical conditions. Overall, this implied a 2.7-fold increased risk of mortality in septic patients.

National survey regarding obstetricians' perspective of obstetric emergencies in Brazil

Abstract Introduction The maternal mortality rate in developing countries, such as Brazil, has significantly increased since 2020. Obstetric Emergencies (OE) account for 72.5% of these deaths. A national survey was conducted in Brazil to evaluate how gynecologists and obstetricians deal with OE and identify the main difficulties regarding theoretical/practical knowledge and structural resources. Methods An electronic questionnaire assessing resource availability, health teams, institutional protocols, and provision of OE training courses was completed by Brazilian obstetricians. Results More than 90 % of the questionnaire respondents reported treating a pregnant and/or puerperal patient with severe morbidity and that their health network has human resources, trained professionals, and structural resources required for this type of care. However, few respondents participate in continuing education programs (36 %) or specific training for the medical team (61.41 %). The implementation rates of obstetric risk identification protocols (33.09 %), a rapid response team (46.54 %), and boxes and emergency cart assembly teams (71.68 %) were determined. Conclusion A high Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) may be related to disorganized healthcare systems, low implementation of risk classification protocols for the care of severe maternal and fetal conditions, and lack of access to continued/specific training programs. The Brazilian MMR is multifactorial. According to obstetricians, Brazilian health services include care teams, essential medications, obstetric centers, and clinical analysis laboratories, though they lack systematized processes and permanent professional training for qualified care of OE.

[Spinal tuberculosis (Pott's disease) associated to psoas abscess: report of two cases and a literature review]. / Tuberculose vertebral (doença de Pott) associada a abscesso de psoas: relato de dois casos e revisão da literatura.

Tuberculosis is one of the most important infectious disease worldwide, with 3,9 million reported cases in the world in 2002. The skeletal form is responsible for 3% of the total number of cases, with 50% of these due to spinal tuberculosis. The psoas abscess is a rare clinical entity with approximately 12 cases per year described in the medical literature and has in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis , one of its etiologic agents. The objective of this work is to report two cases of spinal tuberculosis associated with psoas abscess attended at our service, as well as a review of the literature.

Construindo cenários de simulação: pérolas e armadilhas / Developing simulation scenarios: pearls and pitfalls

OBJETIVOS: Por meio de uma revisão da literatura, este artigo visa organizar diretrizes concisas de elaboração de cenários para utilização em treinamentos simulados, discutindo aspectos práticos da aplicação dessa metodologia na área da saúde. MÉTODOS: As buscas foram feitas nas bases de dados PubMed, Web of Science e LILACS, incluindo artigos nos idiomas inglês, espanhol e português, publicados entre agosto de 1997 e julho de 2017. Os descritores incluíram os termos scenario-based training, scenario-based simulation, scenario preparation, script development, simulation scenario e case-based teaching, e equivalentes em português e espanhol. Os descritores foram baseados nos termos utilizados em artigos, pois ainda não foram indexados descritores específicos nas bases de dados ou nos Descritores em Ciências da Saúde. A pesquisa foi limitada aos artigos de revisão, diretrizes práticas, comentários, editoriais e cartas ao editor. Somente foram incluídos artigos que tratassem da metodologia de construção de cenários de simulação. RESULTADOS: Foram acessados 1.128 artigos e eleitos os 20 que preencheram os critérios de inclusão. A maioria dos estudos tratava de situações clínicas específicas, não discutindo a metodologia de construção dos cenários. A análise dos 20 estudos possibilitou a elaboração de diretrizes para construção de cenários, as quais foram didaticamente divididas em três seções: construindo um cenário em oito passos, pérolas na construção de cenários de simulação e armadilhas no desenvolvimento de cenários. CONCLUSÕES: A construção de cenários de simulação deve ser planejada e estruturada de acordo com s objetivos de aprendizagem propostos, os quais devem ser claros e sinérgicos com o restante do conteúdo curricular. Além disso, é fundamental a adequação do grau de fidelidade do cenário aos objetivos de aprendizagem, visto que cenários excessivamente produzidos são caros e podem produzir fascinação excessiva, dispersando a atenção do estudante. Por outro lado, cenários de baixa fidelidade podem dificultar a imersão dos participantes na atividade. Como em todo projeto, devem-se investir recursos em planejamento de modo a facilitar a sua execução e, consequentemente, aumentar a sua efetividade.

AIMS: By means of a literature review, this article aims to organize concise guidelines for the construction of scenarios for simulated training, discussing practical aspects of the application of this methodology in the health area. METHODS: Search were made in PubMed, Web of Science and LILACS databases, including articles in English, Spanish and Portuguese, published between August 1997 and July 2017. The descriptors used were "scenario-based training", "scenario-based simulation", "scenario preparation", "script development", "simulation scenario", and "case-based teaching", and their equivalents in Portuguese and Spanish. The search was delimited for review articles, practical guidelines, comments, editorials and letters to the editor. The descriptors were identified directly from articles, since they were not yet included in the subject indexes of databases or in the Medical Subject Headings. Only articles dealing with the methodology of simulation scenario construction were included. RESULTS: From 1,128 studies assessed, we selected 20 that met the inclusion criteria. Most of studies dealt with specific clinical situations, not discussing the methodology of scenario construction. The analysis of the 20 studies made it possible to develop guidelines for scenario construction, which were divided into three sections: building a scenario in eight steps, pearls in the construction of simulation scenarios and pitfalls in the development of scenarios. CONCLUSIONS: Construction of simulation scenarios should be planned and structured according to the proposed learning objectives, which should be clear and synergistic with the curricular content. In addition, it is fundamental to adjust the degree of fidelity of the scenario to the learning objectives, because excessively produced scenarios are expensive and can produce excessive fascination, dispersing the attention of the student. On the other hand, low fidelity scenarios can make it difficult for participants to immerse themselves in the activity. Like any project, resources must be invested in planning to facilitate its execution and, consequently, to increase its effectiveness.

Body packing by rectal insertion of cocaine packets: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Body packing is used for international drug transport, immediate drug concealment during a police searching or introducing drugs inside prisons. Despite the high level of specialization of dealers who have started to manufacture more complex packs, up to 5% of patients could develop intoxication due to pack rupture. Bowel obstruction is another acute complication. CASE PRESENTATION: A 27-year-old black male patient was sent to the hospital by court order for clinical evaluation and toxicological examination. The patient was conscious, oriented, had good color, normal arterial pressure and heart rate, and no signs of acute intoxication. Abdominal examination revealed discrete pain upon deep palpation and a small mass in the left iliac fossa. A plain abdominal radiograph revealed several oval structures located in the rectum and sigmoid. Fasting and a 50 g dose of activated charcoal every six hours were prescribed. After three days, the patient spontaneously evacuated 28 cocaine packs. CONCLUSION: Adequate clinical management and prompt identification of potential complications are of fundamental importance in dealing with body packing.

[Clinical and epidemiological profile of accidental tetanus cases in Ribeirão Preto in the State of São Paulo from 1990 to 2009]. / Perfil clínico-epidemiológico dos casos de tétano acidental ocorridos em Ribeirão Preto, Estado de São Paulo, no período de 1990 a 2009.

INTRODUCTION: Tetanus remains a major health problem in developing countries. In Brazil, despite technological advances, no significant decrease in the lethality rate of tetanus have been documented in recent years. Clinical and epidemiological data from patients who were treated in Ribeirão Preto in the state of São Paulo, Brazil in the last two decades were analyzed in this case series. METHODS: Retrospective data regarding the demographics, clinical presentations and prognoses of patients admitted with clinical suspicion of tetanus to a tertiary referral university hospital from 1990 to 2009 were identified. The tetanus diagnosis was defined according to the Brazilian Ministry of Health criteria. RESULTS: Eleven cases out of 23 patients with suspected tetanus were included in this study (47.8% of positive cases). The Tetanus Severity Score ranged from 0 to 8 points. There were no deaths, but two (18.2%) patients had permanent neurological deficits. The median length of hospital stay was 17 days (6-98 days). The absence of deaths can be explained by early clinical diagnosis and prompt treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Ribeirão Preto is an area in which tetanus is not a severe public health problem.

Severe paraquat poisoning: clinical and radiological findings in a survivor.

Paraquat is a nonselective contact herbicide of great toxicological importance, being associated with high mortality rates, mainly due to respiratory failure. We report the case of a 22-year-old male admitted to the emergency room with a sore throat, dysphagia, hemoptysis, and retrosternal pain after the ingestion of 50 mL of a paraquat solution, four days prior to admission. Chest CT scans revealed pulmonary opacities, pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax, and subcutaneous emphysema. The patient was submitted to two cycles of immunosuppressive therapy with cyclophosphamide, methylprednisolone, and dexamethasone. The pulmonary gas exchange parameters gradually improved, and the patient was discharged four weeks later. The clinical and tomographic follow-up evaluations performed at four months after discharge showed that there had been further clinical improvement. We also present a brief review of the literature, as well as a discussion of the therapeutic algorithm for severe paraquat poisoning.

[Influence of acute-phase inflammatory response on serum levels of retinol and retinol binding protein in HIV/AIDS patients]. / Influência da resposta inflamatória de fase aguda nos níveis séricos de retinol e da proteína de ligação do retinol em pacientes com AIDS.

INTRODUCTION: Hyporetinolemia is an independent prognostic factor in AIDS patients. Inflammatory activity causes a reduction in the serum levels of this nutrient in the general population. However, there are no studies assessing the impact of inflammatory activity on the serum retinol level in AIDS patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional assessment was conducted on 41 patients hospitalized due to AIDS complications. Inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) and serum retinol and retinol binding protein concentrations were quantified. RESULTS: Despite the low (14.6%) prevalence of hyporetinolemia, a significant negative correlation was observed between the inflammatory markers and the serum retinol and retinol binding protein levels in AIDS patients. CONCLUSIONS: Acute-phase inflammatory activity is associated with low serum retinol levels in individuals with AIDS.

Emergency medical coordination using a web platform: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a management system for emergency medical coordination based on the worldwide web of computers. METHODS: The emergency coordination system was developed according to an evolving software model for prototype development. Communication between users and the system was implemented by means of web technologies. The system was developed on a personal homepage and the database was developed using MySQL. The prototype was based on the medical coordination process of the Thirteenth Regional Healthcare Division of the State of São Paulo (Southeastern Brazil) and was applied to 26 municipalities within this regional division, for four consecutive weeks in September 2009. The system made it possible to document requests in chronological order, without allowing editing of data already entered, and ensured hierarchical confidential access to the information for each participant in the system. RESULTS: The system presented 100% availability, reliability and integrity of information. A total of 1,046 requests were made to the system, of which 703 (68%) were completed. The solicitants already presented 98% adherence to the system in the first week of application, while adherence among service providers gradually increased (37% in the fourth week). The municipalities closest to Ribeirão Preto that did not have high-complexity providers were the ones that most used the system. CONCLUSIONS: Medical coordination of emergency requests through the worldwide web of computers was shown to be feasible and reliable, and it enabled transparency within the process and direct access to information for managers. It allowed indicators to be constructed in order to monitor and improve the process, from the perspective of creating semi-automated coordination and advances in system organization.

Perfil clínico-epidemiológico dos casos de tétano acidental ocorridos em Ribeirão Preto, Estado de São Paulo, no período de 1990 a 2009 / Clinical and epidemiological profile of accidental tetanus cases in Ribeirão Preto in the State of São Paulo from 1990 to 2009

INTRODUÇÃO: O tétano continua sendo um grave problema de saúde pública nos países em desenvolvimento. No Brasil, apesar dos avanços tecnológicos, não houve um decréscimo significativo da taxa de letalidade nos últimos anos. Nesta casuística, foram analisados dados clínicos e epidemiológicos dos pacientes diagnosticados em Ribeirão Preto, nas últimas duas décadas. MÉTODOS: Este é um estudo retrospectivo que analisou dados dos pacientes internados por tétano acidental no Hospital das Clínicas de Ribeirão Preto, entre 1990 e 2009. O diagnóstico do tétano foi realizado segundo critérios do Ministério da Saúde do Brasil. RESULTADOS: Onze (47,8%), casos positivos, dos 23 suspeitos de tétano, foram incluídos neste estudo. Não houve mortes, mas dois (18,2%) pacientes apresentaram déficit neurológico permanente. O indicador prognóstico Tetanus Severity Score variou entre 0 a 8 pontos. A mediana da permanência hospitalar foi de 17 dias, variando de 6 a 98 dias. A ausência de óbitos pode ser explicada pelo diagnóstico clinico precoce da doença com instituição imediata de terapia. CONCLUSÕES: Ribeirão Preto é uma área onde o tétano não é um relevante problema de saúde pública.

INTRODUCTION: Tetanus remains a major health problem in developing countries. In Brazil, despite technological advances, no significant decrease in the lethality rate of tetanus have been documented in recent years. Clinical and epidemiological data from patients who were treated in Ribeirão Preto in the state of São Paulo, Brazil in the last two decades were analyzed in this case series. METHODS: Retrospective data regarding the demographics, clinical presentations and prognoses of patients admitted with clinical suspicion of tetanus to a tertiary referral university hospital from 1990 to 2009 were identified. The tetanus diagnosis was defined according to the Brazilian Ministry of Health criteria. RESULTS: Eleven cases out of 23 patients with suspected tetanus were included in this study (47.8% of positive cases). The Tetanus Severity Score ranged from 0 to 8 points. There were no deaths, but two (18.2%) patients had permanent neurological deficits. The median length of hospital stay was 17 days (6-98 days). The absence of deaths can be explained by early clinical diagnosis and prompt treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Ribeirão Preto is an area in which tetanus is not a severe public health problem.

Influência da resposta inflamatória de fase aguda nos níveis séricos de retinol e da proteína de ligação do retinol em pacientes com AIDS / Influence of acute-phase inflammatory response on serum levels of retinol and retinol binding protein in HIV/AIDS patients

INTRODUÇÃO: a hiporretinolemia constitui fator prognóstico independente em pacientes com AIDS, e a atividade inflamatória causa redução dos níveis séricos deste nutriente na população em geral. Entretanto, faltam estudos que avaliem o impacto da atividade inflamatória sobre o nível sérico do retinol em pacientes com AIDS. MÉTODOS: foram avaliados transversalmente 41 pacientes internados por complicações da AIDS, que tiveram quantificados alguns marcadores de inflamação (proteína C reativa e fator de necrose tumoral alfa) e concentrações séricas de retinol e da proteína de ligação do retinol. RESULTADOS: apesar da baixa (14,6 por cento) prevalência de hiporretinolemia evidenciou-se correlação negativa dos marcadores de inflamação com os níveis séricos de retinol e de sua proteína de ligação nos pacientes com AIDS. CONCLUSÕES: a atividade inflamatória de fase aguda está associada a baixos níveis séricos de retinol em indivíduos com AIDS.

INTRODUCTION: Hyporetinolemia is an independent prognostic factor in AIDS patients. Inflammatory activity causes a reduction in the serum levels of this nutrient in the general population. However, there are no studies assessing the impact of inflammatory activity on the serum retinol level in AIDS patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional assessment was conducted on 41 patients hospitalized due to AIDS complications. Inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) and serum retinol and retinol binding protein concentrations were quantified. RESULTS: Despite the low (14.6 percent) prevalence of hyporetinolemia, a significant negative correlation was observed between the inflammatory markers and the serum retinol and retinol binding protein levels in AIDS patients. CONCLUSIONS: Acute-phase inflammatory activity is associated with low serum retinol levels in individuals with AIDS.