Pediatric allergy and immunology in Brazil.

The subspecialty of pediatric allergy and immunology in Brazil is in its early years and progressing steadily. This review highlights the research developed in the past years aiming to show the characteristics of allergic and immunologic diseases in this vast country. Epidemiologic studies demonstrated the high prevalence of asthma in infants, children, and adolescents. Mortality rates and average annual variation of asthma hospitalization have reduced in all pediatric age groups. Indoor aeroallergen exposure is excessively high and contributes to the high rates of allergy sensitization. Prevalence of food allergy has increased to epidemic levels. Foods (35%), insect stings (30%), and drugs (23%) are the main etiological agents of anaphylaxis in children and adolescents. Molecular diagnosis of primary immunodeficiencies (PID) showed a high incidence of fungal infections including paracoccidioidomycosis in X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome, and the occurrence of BCG adverse reactions or other mycobacterial infections in patients with chronic granulomatous disease. Education in pediatric allergy and immunology is deficient for medical students, but residency programs are effective in training internists and pediatricians for the practice of allergy. The field of PID requires further training. Last, this review is a tribute to Prof. Dr. Charles Naspitz, one of the pioneers of our specialty in Brazil.

Prevalence of Toxocara infection in schoolchildren from the Butantã region, São Paulo, Brazil.

Visceral larva migrans syndrome by Toxocara affects mainly children between 2 and 5 years of age, it is generally asymptomatic, and the seroprevalence varies from 3 to 86% in different countries. A total of 399 schoolchildren from 14 public schools of the Butantã region, São Paulo city, Brazil, were evaluated by Toxocara serology (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Epidemiological data to the Toxocara infection obtained from a protocol were submitted to multiple logistic regression analysis for a risk profile definition. Blood was collected on filter paper by finger puncture, with all samples tested in duplicate. Considering titers > or = 1/160 as positive, the seroprevalence obtained was 38.8%. Among infected children, the mean age was 9.4 years, with a similar distribution between genders. A significant association was observed with the presence of onychophagia, residence with a dirty backyard, living in a slum, previous wheezing episodes, school attended, and family income (p < 0.05). All data, except "living in a slum", were considered to be determinant of a risk profile for the acquisition of Toxocara infection. A monthly income > or = 5 minimum salaries represented a protective factor, although of low relevance. Toxocara eggs were found in at least one of the soil samples obtained from five schools, with high prevalence of Toxocara infections, indicating the frequent soil contamination by this agent.

Guia prático para o manejo da anafilaxia-2012 / Practical guide to the management of anaphylaxix-2012

Anafilaxia representa uma das mais dramáticas condições clínicas da medicina, tanto pela imprevisibilidade de aparecimento quanto pelo potencial de gravidade na sua evolução. A ocorrência de anafilaxia determina enorme impacto na qualidade de vida das pessoas afetadas, dos seus familiares, cuidadores e amigos. As principais causas de anafilaxia são medicamentos, alimentos e veneno de insetos. Estudos epidemiológicos recentes sugerem aumento da incidência de anafilaxia. Aprofundar o conhecimento de causas e mecanismos de anafilaxia tem sido preocupação constante da especialidade de Imunoalergologia. Nos ambulatórios de Alergia e Imunologia Clínica são atendidas com regularidade pessoas que sofreram reações alergicas agudas graves e que necessitam de orientação especializada. Não é raro verificar que muitas superaram vários episódios agudos sem receber o diagnóstico correto, assim como a orientação específica para procurar atendimento especializado. Cada reação anafilática representa risco, que é variavel dependendo das caracteristicas do paciente e do agente desencadeante. A falta de informação de médicos e pacientes contribui para aumentar a chance de novas ocorrências, expondo estes a riscos muitas vezes preveníveis. O Guia Prático para o Manejo da Anafilaxia-2012 tem o objetivo de difundir o conhecimento sobre anafilaxia entre médicos e profissionais da saúde, pacientes, familiares, professores, escolas e autoridades de saúde pública. Este documento não é um protocolo de atendimento a pacientes com reações anafiláticas, nem pretende formular rotinas clínicas ou interferir na autonomia e no discernimento do médico ao avaliar e orientar pacientes que estão aos seus cuidados. O documento contém de forma muito concisa o conhecimento atual sobre o tema e a experiência pessoal de especialistas no manejo dessas situações, fornecendo informação para o aprimoramento pessoal. Aborda-se o diagnóstico e tratamento emergencial da anafilaxia, assim como, a avaliação e o tratamento após a crise. Cuidados básicos e atitudes preventivas que são fundamentais na orientação de pacientes e familiares são analisadas.

Anaphylaxis is one of the most dramatic clinical conditions of Medicine, by the unpredictability of emergence and by the potential of severity in its evolution. Anaphylaxis determines an enormous impact on the quality of life of people affected, their families, caregivers and friends. The most frequent cause of anaphylaxis are drugs, foods, and stinging insect venoms. Recent epidemiological surveys have suggested increased incidence of anaphylaxis. Development of the knowledge of the causes and mechanisms of anaphylaxis has been a constant concern of the specialist of Immunoallergology. In Allergy and Clinical Immunology clinics are frequent to consult people who have suffered severe acute allergic reactions that require expert guidance. Many patients had suffered previous episodes without receiving the correct diagnosis as well as specific guidance to seek specialized care. Each allergic crisis represents a health risk, which is variable depending on the characteristics of the patient and the triggering agent. The lack of information from doctors and patients contributes to increase the chance of new episodes, exposing patients to preventable risk. The Practical Management of Anaphylaxis-2012 aims to spread knowledge of anaphylaxis among physicians, healthcare professionals, patients, families, teachers, schools, and public health authorities. This document is not a protocol of care to patients with anaphylactic reactions, nor is it intended to formulate practical clinical routines and, its objective should not interfere with the autonomy and the discernment of the physician to evaluate and treat patients who are to their care. The document contains very concisely the current knowledge about the subject and the personal experience of specialists in the management of these situations, providing information for personal improvement. Deals with the diagnosis and emergency treatment of anaphylaxis, as well as the assessment and treatment after the crisis. Basic and preventive care who are fundamental attitudes for patients and families are analyzed.

Prevalence of Toxocara infection in schoolchildren from the Butantä region, Säo Paulo, Brazil

Visceral larva migrans syndrome by Toxocara affects mainly children between 2 and 5 years of age, it is generally asymptomatic, and the seroprevalence varies from 3 to 86 percent in different countries. A total of 399 schoolchildren from 14 public schools of the Butantä region, Säo Paulo city, Brazil, were evaluated by Toxocara serology (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Epidemiological data to the Toxocara infection obtained from a protocol were submitted to multiple logistic regression analysis for a risk profile definition. Blood was collected on filter paper by finger puncture, with all samples tested in duplicate. Considering titers > 1/160 as positive, the seroprevalence obtained was 38.8 percent. Among infected children, the mean age was 9.4 years, with a similar distribution between genders. A significant association was observed with the presence of onychophagia, residence with a dirty backyard, living in a slum, previous wheezing episodes, school attended, and family income (p < 0.05). All data, except "living in a slum", were considered to be determinant of a risk profile for the acquisition of Toxocara infection. A monthly income > 5 minimum salaries represented a protective factor, although of low relevance. Toxocara eggs were found in at least one of the soil samples obtained from five schools, with high prevalence of Toxocara infections, indicating the frequent soil contamination by this agent