Occurrence, biological properties and potential effects on human health of ß-casomorphin 7: Current knowledge and concerns.

The genetic variant A1 of bovine ß-casein (ß-Cn) presents a His residue at a position 67 of the mature protein. This feature makes the Ile66-His67 bond more vulnerable to enzymatic cleavage, determining the release of the peptide ß-Cn f(60-66), named ß-casomorphin 7 (BCM7). BCM7 is an opioid-agonist for µ receptors, and it has been hypothesized to be involved in the development of different non-transmissible diseases in humans. In the last decade, studies have provided additional results on the potential health impact of ß-Cn A1 and BCM7. These studies, here reviewed, highlighted a relation between the consumption of ß-Cn A1 (and its derivative BCM7) and the increase of inflammatory response as well as discomfort at the gastrointestinal level. Conversely, the role of BCM7 and the effects of ingestion of ß-Cn A1 on the onset or worsening of other non-transmissible diseases as caused or favored by still need proof of evidence. Overall, the reviewed literature demonstrates that the "ß-Cn A1/BCM7 issue" remains an intriguing but not exhaustively explained topic in human nutrition. On this basis, policies in favor of breeding for ß-Cn variants not releasing BCM7 and consumption of "A1-like" milk appear not yet sound for a healthier and safer nutrition.

Adherence of the General Public to Self-Protection Guidelines During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is rapidly growing due to a high level of contagiousness. Different measures have been taken to slow the spread of the virus. Appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is one of these key measures. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated adherence of the general public to use of PPE and their knowledge regarding the rationale behind their use. METHODS: Two samples were chosen from public places (a subway station and a city store) in Tehran, Iran, one of the countries affected by COVID-19. Individuals were observed for appropriate use of PPE and interviewed regarding their knowledge on some basic self-protection information. RESULTS: Approximately half of the 431 participants did not take any measures to ensure hand hygiene, whereas those who did not use respiratory protection were far fewer. A considerable number of individuals, however, did not use these PPE correctly. On the other hand, there was a gap in the knowledge of the general public regarding different aspects of protective measures. The majority of the participants were receptive toward education on preventive measurements through public media. CONCLUSION: Education is an important aspect in containing the COVID-19 pandemic, as it directly increases adherence of the general public to protective measures.

[Neglected tropical diseases and their impact on cardiovascular health (The NET-Heart Project)]. / Enfermedades tropicales desatendidas y su impacto sobre la salud cardiovascular (The NET-Heart Project).

Neglected tropical diseases (NTD) are a group of diseases with high prevalence in tropical and subtropical countries. They are associated to poverty and underdevelopment. Due to its high morbimortality, these conditions are considered a health crisis. The impact of these diseases can be worsened by the poor socioeconomic status of the affected countries, most of them under-developed, which affects the health care provided to patients. The morbidity of these diseases is explained by the wide organic impairment that they produce. The cardiovascular system is particularly affected, which explains the high morbimortality of NTD. In this article, we review the key issues of a project elaborated by Emerging Leaders of the Interamerican Society of Cardiology (SIAC), about the cardiovascular impact of NTD: the NET-Heart Project (Neglected Tropical Diseases and other Infectious Diseases affecting the Heart).

Las enfermedades tropicales desatendidas (ETD) constituyen un conjunto de afecciones altamente prevalentes en regiones tropicales y subtropicales, asociadas a pobreza y subdesarrollo. Constituyen una verdadera crisis sanitaria, incapacitando y llevando a la muerte a millones de personas anualmente. Esto se ve potenciado por las dificultades socioeconómicas que cursan estos países, mayormente en vías de desarrollo, lo cual repercute en la calidad de la asistencia sanitaria que pueden proveer a la población. La morbilidad de estas enfermedades se explica por la amplia afectación orgánica que generan. El aparato cardiovascular resulta particularmente afectado, lo que explica en gran medida la morbimortalidad de las ETD. En el presente artículo se revisan los aspectos fundamentales de un proyecto llevado a cabo por los Líderes Emergentes de la Sociedad Interamericana de Cardiología (SIAC), cubriendo diferentes aspectos del impacto sobre el aparato cardiovascular de las ETD: el Proyecto NET-Heart (del inglés, Neglected Tropical Diseases and other Infectious Diseases Affecting the Heart).

Sanitary Emergencies at the Wild/Domestic Caprines Interface in Europe.

Population density and distribution of the four native European wild Caprines (Rupicapra rupicapra, Rupicapra pyrenaica, Capra ibex, Capra pyrenaica) have increased in recent decades. The improved conservation status of this valuable wildlife, while a welcome event in general terms, is at the same time a matter of concern since, intuitively, frequent and tighter contacts with sympatric livestock imply a greater risk of cross-transmission of emerging and re-emerging pathogens, and offer unexpected opportunities for pathogens to spread, persist and evolve. This article recalls the transmissible diseases that are perceived in Europe to be of major significance from a conservation perspective, namely brucellosis (BRC) by Brucella melitensis, infectious kerato-conjunctivitis (IKC) by Mycoplasma conjunctivae, pestivirosis (PV) by the border disease virus strain 4 and mange by Sarcoptes scabiei. Special emphasis has been put on the epidemiological role played by small domestic ruminants, and on key knowledge needed to implement evidence-based prevention and control strategies. Remarkably, scientific evidence demonstrates that major demographic downturns in affected wild Caprinae populations in recent decades have often been triggered by pathogens cross-transmitted at the livestock/wildlife interface.

[Food policies to prevent obesity and the main non-transmissible diseases in Spain: where there's a will there's a way]. / Políticas alimentarias para prevenir la obesidad y las principales enfermedades no transmisibles en España: querer es poder.

INTRODUCTION: In Spain, one third of all children and two-thirds of adults suffer from excess weight, a condition that generates a direct excess medical cost of 2000 million Euros. Obesogenic food environments cause obesity by promoting the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and ultra-processed foods. Accordingly, we propose five priority policies capable of reversing the epidemic of obesity and related non-communicable diseases through the creation of healthy food environments. THE POWER (PODER IN SPANISH) OF FOOD POLICIES: Advertising (Publicidad): regulation of unhealthy food and drink advertisements carried by all media and targeted at children, and prohibition of sponsorships of congresses, conferences or sports events and endorsements by scientific associations or health professionals. Supply (Oferta): promotion of a 100% healthy supply of goods on sale in vending machines sited at educational, health and sports centres. Demand (Demanda): levying a tax of at least 20% on sugar-sweetened beverages, accompanied by subsidies or reduced taxes on healthy foods and availability of drinking water free of charge at all public venues and areas. Labelling (Etiquetado): effective application of the Nutri-Score through the use of incentives, regulation and public-tender mechanisms. Reformulation (Reformulación): revising and redrawing reformulation agreements with the industry, setting more ambitious goals and mandatory compliance. A FINAL THOUGHT: These five proposed interventions, all of which have been successfully applied in other countries, will serve to raise population awareness and have a positive impact on health and the economy, through reducing the health care costs of obesity and enhancing work productivity. These measures should form part of a wide-ranging transformation of the food system, with agri-food policies that foster the sustainable production of healthy foods.

Observance of Sterilization Protocol Guideline Procedures of Critical Instruments for Preventing Iatrogenic Transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease in Dental Practice in France, 2017.

Effective sterilization of reusable instruments contaminated by Creutzfeldt⁻Jakob disease in dental care is a crucial issue for public health. The present cross-sectional study investigated how the recommended procedures for sterilization were implemented by French dental practices in real-world settings. A sample of dental practices was selected in the French Rhône-Alpes region. Data were collected by a self-questionnaire in 2016. Sterilization procedures (n = 33) were classified into 4 groups: (1) Pre-sterilization cleaning of reusable instruments; (2) Biological verification of sterilization cycles—Monitoring steam sterilization procedures; (3) Autoclave performance and practitioner knowledge of autoclave use; (4) Monitoring and documentation of sterilization procedures—Tracking and tracing the instrumentation. Answers were provided per procedure, along with the global implementation of procedures within a group (over 80% correctly performed). Then it was verified how adherence to procedure groups varied with the size of the dental practice and the proportion of dental assistants within the team. Among the 179 questionnaires available for the analyses, adherence to the recommended procedures of sterilization noticeably varied between practices, from 20.7% to 82.6%. The median percentages of procedures correctly implemented per practice were 58.1%, 50.9%, 69.2% and 58.2%, in Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively (corresponding percentages for performing over 80% of the procedures in the group: 23.4%, 6.6%, 46.6% and 38.6%). Dental practices ≥ 3 dental units performed significantly better (>80%) procedures of Groups 2 and 4 (p = 0.01 and p = 0.002, respectively), while no other significant associations emerged. As a rule, practices complied poorly with the recommended procedures, despite partially improved results in bigger practices. Specific training regarding sterilization procedures and a better understanding of the reasons leading to their non-compliance are needed.

Seroprevalencia de infecciones hemotransmisibles en donantes de sangre / Seroprevalence of transmissible infections in blood donors

Introducción. La seguridad transfusional es el objetivo primordial de los bancos de sangre, sin embargo, conlleva un alto riesgo de eventos adversos como son las infecciones transmisibles por transfusión (ITT). El conocimiento de la prevalencia de estas infecciones fue de particular interés en esta investigación, donde se determinó su frecuencia, coinfección y relación con el tipo de donantes admitidos. Metodología. Estudio observacional retrospectivo de 2017 y 2018, en el que se incluyeron todos los registros de donantes de sangre que contenían datos demográficos y resultados de los marcadores obligatorios en el país (Ecuador), tanto de pruebas serológicas como moleculares. Se obtuvo el permiso del custodio de la información y del subcomité de bioética de investigaciones en seres humanos. Para el análisis de los datos se utilizó estadística descriptiva e inferencial. Resultados. Se determinó una prevalencia del 3,18 % de resultados reactivos para una o más ITT, el rango de edad más prevalente fue de 29 a 40 años, el 89,8 % fueron donantes compensatorios, y de ellos el 90 % fueron reactivos para una o más ITT. El marcador serológico más prevalente fue el anti-core del virus de la hepatitis B (anti-HBc), seguido por el de sífilis y los anticuerpos contra el virus de la hepatitis C (VHC). La coinfección más prevalente fue con sífilis y hepatitis B. Se encontró una diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre los resultados obtenidos en las pruebas serológicas y las moleculares (x2=26,9; p=0,000). Conclusión. Las ITT en los bancos de sangre son un riesgo latente, por lo que es necesario conocer las variaciones epidemiológicas que existen en cada población. El conocimiento de la prevalencia de las ITT en donantes de sangre permite establecer nuevas estrategias de selección del donante, que garanticen la mejor seguridad posible en las transfusiones, además debe verificarse siempre la metodología utilizada y hacer monitoreo permanente del sistema de calidad establecido

Introduction. Transfusion safety is the primary objective of blood banks, however one of the adverse reactions to blood transfusion are the transfusion transmissible infections (TTIs). Knowledge of the prevalence of these infections was of particular interest in this study where we determined their frequency, co-infection and relationship with the type of donors admitted. Methodology. Retrospective observational study during 2017 and 2018, in which all blood donor records containing demographic data and results of the country's (Ecuador) mandatory serological markers of both serological and molecular tests were included. Permission was obtained from the data custodian and the Human Research Bioethics Subcommittee. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Results. A prevalence of 3,18% of reactive results to one or more TTIs was determined, the most prevalent age range was 29 to 40 years, 89.8% were compensatory donors and 90% of them were reactive to one or more TTIs. The anti- core serological marker of the hepatitis B virus (anti-HBc) was the most prevalent, followed by syphilis and hepatitis C antibodies. Syphilis and hepatitis B were identified as the most prevalent coinfection. The correlation between the results obtained in the serological and molecular tests was determined to be different and statistically significant (x2=26.9; p=0.000). Conclusion. TTIs in blood banks are a latent risk, so it is necessary to know the epidemiological variations that exist in every population. Knowledge of the prevalence of TTIs in blood donors facilitates new donor selection strategies that guarantee the best possible safety in transfusions. In addition, the methodology used must always be verified and the established quality system must be permanently monitored

Enfermedades tropicales desatendidas y su impacto sobre la salud cardiovascular (The NET-heart project) / Neglected tropical diseases and their impact on cardiovascular health. (The NET-Heart Project)

Resumen Las enfermedades tropicales desatendidas (ETD) constituyen un conjunto de afecciones altamente prevalentes en regiones tropicales y subtropicales, asociadas a pobreza y subdesarrollo. Constituyen una verdadera crisis sanitaria, incapacitando y llevando a la muerte a millones de personas anualmente. Esto se ve potenciado por las dificultades socioeconómicas que cursan estos países, mayormente en vías de desa rrollo, lo cual repercute en la calidad de la asistencia sanitaria que pueden proveer a la población. La morbilidad de estas enfermedades se explica por la amplia afectación orgánica que generan. El aparato cardiovascular resulta particularmente afectado, lo que explica en gran medida la morbimortalidad de las ETD. En el presente artículo se revisan los aspectos fundamentales de un proyecto llevado a cabo por los Líderes Emergentes de la Sociedad Interamericana de Cardiología (SIAC), cubriendo diferentes aspectos del impacto sobre el aparato cardiovascular de las ETD: el Proyecto NET-Heart (del inglés, Neglected Tropical Diseases and other Infectious Diseases Affecting the Heart).

Abstract Neglected tropical diseases (NTD) are a group of diseases with high prevalence in tropical and subtropi cal countries. They are associated to poverty and underdevelopment. Due to its high morbimortality, these conditions are considered a health crisis. The impact of these diseases can be worsened by the poor socioeconomic status of the affected countries, most of them under-developed, which affects the health care provided to patients. The morbidity of these diseases is explained by the wide organic impairment that they produce. The cardiovascular system is par ticularly affected, which explains the high morbimortality of NTD. In this article, we review the key issues of a project elaborated by Emerging Leaders of the Interamerican Society of Cardiology (SIAC), about the cardiovascular impact of NTD: the NET-Heart Project (Neglected Tropical Diseases and other Infectious Diseases affecting the Heart).

Imported transmissible diseases in minors coming to Spain from low-income areas.

We prospectively studied the prevalence of imported transmissible diseases in 373 immigrant children and adolescents coming from Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa and Latin America to Salamanca, Spain. The most frequent transmissible diseases in this group were latent tuberculosis (12.7%), chronic hepatitis B virus infection (4.2%), hepatitis C virus infection (2.3%), syphilis (1.5%) and human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 or 2 infections (1.4%). A total of 24.2% of patients had serologic profiles suggesting past hepatitis B virus infection. Anti-human immunodeficiency virus antibodies were not detected in any subject. Largely asymptomatic immigrant children show a high prevalence of communicable diseases. Thus, infectious disease screenings are highly advisable in immigrant children coming from low-income countries.

Control of virus diseases of citrus.

Citrus is thought to have originated in Southeast Asia and horticulturally desirable clonal selections have been clonally cultivated for hundreds of years. While some citrus species have nucellar embryony, most cultivation of citrus has been by clonal propagation to ensure that propagated plants have the same traits as the parent selection. Clonal propagation also avoids juvenility, and the propagated plants produce fruit sooner. Because of the clonal propagation of citrus, citrus has accumulated a large number of viruses; many of these viruses are asymptomatic until a susceptible rootstock and/or scion is encountered. The viruses reported to occur in citrus will be summarized in this review. Methods of therapy to clean selected clones from viruses will be reviewed; the use of quarantine, clean stock, and certification programs for control of citrus viruses and other strategies to control insect spread citrus viruses, such as mild strain cross-protection and the use of pest management areas will be discussed.

Acciones sanitarias en las enfermedades transmisibles. Un instrumento de la salud pública / Health actions in contagious diseases. An instrument of public health

Se describen las acciones sanitarias específicas que se realizan en la lucha contra las enfermedades infecciosas para evitar o disminuir su transmisibilidad y el contagio en la población, como instrumentos del modelo médico sanitario. Se hace referencia a la pandemias de 1918 y 2020, en las cuales se aplicaron estas acciones sanitarias. (AU)

The specific sanitary actions that are carried out in the fight against infectious diseases are described to avoid or reduce their transmissibility and contagion in the population, as an instrument of public health. Reference is made to the Pandemics of 1918 and 2020, where these sanitary actions were used. (AU)

Individual and social vulnerabilities upon acquiring tuberculosis: a literature systematic review.

Tuberculosis is a contagious infectious disease mainly caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis that still meets the priority criteria - high magnitude, transcendence and vulnerability - due to the threat it poses to public health. When taking into consideration the vulnerability conditions that favor the onset of the disease, this article aimed to investigate the implications originated from individual and social vulnerability conditions in which tuberculosis patients are inserted. Databases like MEDLINE, LILACS and SciELO were searched in Portuguese, Spanish and English using the descriptors tuberculosis and vulnerability, and 183 articles were found. After the selection criterion was applied, there were 22 publications left to be discussed. Some of the aspects that characterize the vulnerability to tuberculosis are: low-income and low-education families, age, poor living conditions, chemical dependency, pre-existing conditions/aggravations like diabetes mellitus and malnutrition, indigenous communities, variables related to health professionals, intense border crossings and migration, difficulty in accessing information and health services and lack of knowledge on tuberculosis. Much as such aspects are present and favor the onset of the disease, several reports show high incidence rates of tuberculosis in low vulnerability places, suggesting that some factors related to the disease are still unclear. In conclusion, health promotion is important in order to disfavor such conditions or factors of vulnerability to tuberculosis, making them a primary target in the public health planning process and disease control.

Hanseníase em países fronteiriços na américa do sul: um estudo ecológico / Lepra en los territories fronterizos de sudamérica: estudio ecológico / Leprosy in border countries in south america: an ecological study

RESUMO Objetivo: caracterizar o perfil clínico epidemiológico e a distribuição espacial da incidência da hanseníase em territórios fronteiriços da América do Sul. Método: trata-se de um estudo ecológico. O estudo compreendeu a Província de Misiones na Argentina e a Região Sul do Brasil. A população foi composta por 10.319 casos novos de hanseníase, diagnosticados entre 2010 e 2016. Resultados: o estado do Paraná foi o mais endêmico, representando 70,2% (n=7,247) dos casos. Houve predomínio da classificação operacional multibacilar (79,8%, n=8.233) e Grau 0 de incapacidade física (50,6%, n=5.223). Em Misiones 18,9% utilizaram esquema de tratamento substitutivo. No período, notou-se uma situação hiperendêmica em 780 (65,5%) dos municípios/ departamentos estudados. Conclusão: o estudo mostrou que as regiões estudadas apresentam alta endemicidade, transmissão ativa e diagnóstico tardio da hanseníase. Essas tendências entrelaçadas à força de morbidade e de transmissão recente e persistente da doença, ampliam a relevância da hanseníase como problema de saúde pública na região.

RESUMEN Objetivo: caracterizar el perfil clínico epidemiológico y la distribución espacial de la incidencia de la lepra en los territorios fronterizos de Sudamérica. Metodología: se trata de un estudio ecológico. El estudio incluyó la Provincia de Misiones en Argentina y la Región Sur de Brasil. La población estaba compuesta por 10.319 nuevos casos de lepra diagnosticados entre 2010 y 2016. Resultados: el estado de Paraná fue el más endémico, representando el 70,2% (n=7.247) de los casos. Predominaron la clasificación operacional multibacilar (79,8%, n=8.233) y el Grado 0 de discapacidad física (50,6%, n=5.223). En Misiones, el 18,9% utilizó un régimen de tratamiento de sustitución. En el periodo se observó una situación hiperendémica en 780 (65,5%) de las ciudades/departamentos estudiados. Conclusión: El estudio mostró que las regiones estudiadas tienen alta endemicidad, transmisión activa y diagnóstico tardío de la lepra. Estas tendencias entrelazadas en cuanto a la fuerza de la morbilidad y la transmisión reciente y persistente de la enfermedad aumentan la importancia de la lepra como un problema de salud pública en la región.

ABSTRACT Objective: to characterize the epidemiological clinical profile and spatial distribution of the incidence of leprosy in border territories of South America. Method: this is an ecological study. The study included the Province of Misiones in Argentina and the Southern Region of Brazil. The population consisted of 10,319 new leprosy cases diagnosed between 2010 and 2016. Results: the state of Paraná was the most endemic, representing 70.2% (n=7.247) of the cases. There was a predominance of multibacillary operational classification (79.8%, n=8,233) and Grade 0 of physical disability (50.6%, n=5,223). In Misiones, 18.9% used a substitution treatment regimen. In the period, a hyperendemic situation was observed in 780 (65.5%) of the studied cities/departments. Conclusion: the study revealed that the regions studied have high endemicity, active transmission and late diagnosis of leprosy. These intertwined trends in the strength of morbidity and recent and persistent transmission of the disease increase the relevance of leprosy as a public health problem in the region.

Hepatites b, c e sífilis: prevalência e características associadas à coinfecção entre soropositivos / Hepatitis b and c and syphilis: prevalence and characteristics associated to coinfection among seropositive individuals / Hepatitis b, c y sífilis: prevalencia y características asociadas a la coinfección entre soropositivos

Objetivou-se determinar a prevalência, perfil epidemiológico e as características associadas à coinfecção pelo vírus da hepatite B, C e sífilis entre indivíduos infectados pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana. Estudo quantitativo, por meio de análise documental das anotações de consultas feitas e documentadas em prontuário pela equipe multiprofissional de 323 prontuários cadastrados e/ou em acompanhamento, provenientes de dez municípios do Estado de Goiás, com coleta de dados entre os meses de junho e novembro de 2016 no Serviço de Assistência Especializada. Do total de sorologias analisadas, observou-se prevalência de coinfecção de 54 (19%) para hepatite B, sete (2,3%) hepatite C e 51 (16,2%) sífilis. As coinfecções estiveram relacionadas à idade, estado civil, multiplicidade de parceiros sexuais e baixa adesão ao uso do preservativo durante o intercurso sexual. Os resultados desta investigação poderão contribuir no planejamento e implementação de ações de saúde, orientando medidas preventivas para grupos vulneráveis à coinfecção (AU).

This study aimed to determine the prevalence, epidemiology and characteristics associated with coinfection with hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and syphilis among individuals infected by the human immunodeficiency virus. Quantitative study that used documentary analysis of notes included in the medical records by the multidisciplinary staff from 323 patients' records from 10 cities in the state of Goiás. Data was collected from June to November 2016 at a Specialized Care Service (SAE) for people living with HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis. The serological tests conducted showed a prevalence of coinfection of 54 (19%) for hepatitis B, seven (2,3%) for hepatitis C, and 51 (16.2%) for syphilis. The coinfections were related to age, marital status, multiplicity of sexual partners and low adherence to condom use during sexual intercourse. The results of this study may contribute to the planning and implementation of health activities, providing guidance on preventive measures targeted to groups vulnerable to coinfection (AU).

Fue objetivo del estudio establecer la prevalencia, el perfil epidemiológico y las características asociadas a la co-infección por el virus de la hepatitis B, C y sífilis entre individuos infectados por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana. Estudio cuantitativo, realizado por medio del análisis documental de los apuntes de consultas y documentados en prontuario por el equipo multiprofesional de 323 prontuarios registrados y/o en acompañamiento, provenientes de diez municipios del Estado de Goiás. Los datos fueron obtenidos entre los meses de junio y noviembre de 2016 en el Servicio de Asistencia Especializada. Del total de sorologías analizadas, se observó prevalencia de co-infección de 54 (19%) para hepatitis B, siete (2,3%) hepatitis C y 51 (16,2%) sífilis. Las co-infecciones se relacionaban a la edad, al estado civil, multiplicidad de parejas sexuales y baja adhesión al uso del preservativo durante la relación sexual. Los resultados de la investigación podrán contribuir para el planeamiento e implementación de acciones de salud, orientando medidas preventivas para grupos vulnerables a la co-infección (AU).

Prevalência de inaptidão sorológica dos doadores de sangue no hemocentro regional de Montes Claros, Minas Gerais / Prevalencia de imposibilidad serológico de donantes de sangre en hemocentro regional de Montes Claros, Minas Gerais / Prevalence of serological inability of blood donors in regional blood center of Montes Claros, Minas Gerais

To estimate the prevalence of disability serological of blood donors at the Regional Blood Center of Montes Claros, in the period 2009 to 2013. Methods: this is a transversal study, exploratory, through retrospective data collection, involving 2.101 donors unfit serologically. The study was approved by the CEP of Hemominas Foundation 381/2014. Results: of the 82.743 candidates suitable for blood collection, 2.101 (2.5%) had reactive serologic tests, but only 1.434 (1.9%) confirmed the result through the 2nd sample collection. Among the diseases investigated, therewas the following distribution prevalence of hepatitis B (anti-HBc) donors with 0.77% about the total of suitable, syphilis (0.41%), Chagas (0.40%), and others showed values below 0.08%. Conclusion: we concluded that in comparison with other studies, it was found that the prevalence of disability in our blood bank serological is similar, showing that the measures taken are safe...

Estimar a prevalência da inaptidão sorológica dos doadores de sangue no Hemocentro Regional de Montes Claros, no período de 2009 a 2013. Métodos: trata-se de um estudo transversal, de caráter exploratório, através da coleta de dados retrospectivos, que envolveu 2.101 doadores inaptos sorologicamente. O estudo foi aprovado pelo CEP da Fundação Hemominas nº381/2014. Resultados: do total de 82.743 candidatos aptos para a coleta de sangue, 2.101(2,5%) apresentaram testes sorológicos reativos, porém apenas 1.434 (1,9%) confirmaram o resultado através da coleta de 2ª amostra. Dentre as doenças pesquisadas, houve a seguinte distribuição de prevalência: hepatite B (anti-HBc) com 0,77% doadores em relação ao total dos aptos; sífilis (0,41%); Chagas (0,40%); e demais apresentaram valores abaixo de 0,08%. Conclusão: concluímos que em comparação com outros estudos, verificou-se que a prevalência de inaptidão sorológica em nosso hemocentro é semelhante, mostrando que as medidas adotadas são seguras...

Estimar la prevalencia de la discapacidad serológica de donantes de sangre en el Centro Regional de Sangre de Montes Claros, en el período de 2009 a 2013. Métodos: estudio transversal, exploratorio, retrospectivo, involucrando 2.101 donantes no aptos serológicamente. El estudio fue aprobado por el CEP de Fundación Hemominas 381/2014. Resultados: de los 82.743 candidatos adecuados para la recogida de sangre, 2.101 (2,5%) tenían pruebas serológicas reactivas, pero sólo 1.434 (1,9%) confirmaron el resultado a través de la segunda toma de muestras. Entre las enfermedades investigadas, hubo la siguiente prevalencia de distribución: hepatitis B (anti-HBc) con 0,77% de donantes en relación al total de adecuados, sífilis (0,41%), Chagas (0,40%) y otros mostraron valores por debajo de 0,08%. Conclusión: en comparación con otros estudios, se encontró que la prevalencia de la discapacidad serológica en banco de sangre es similar, lo que demuestra que las medidas adoptadas son seguras...

Síndrome Respiratorio de Medio Oriente causado por un coronavirus y el Hajj: ¿potencial para una emergencia internacional? / Middle East Respiratory Syndrome caused by a coronavirus and Hajj: an international health threat?

La epidemiología de enfermedades infecciosas en eventos de concentración masiva requiere de un amplio planeamiento y control por parte de los centros de salud de cada país involucrado. El Síndrome Respiratorio de Medio Oriente causado por un coronavirus es causado por un nuevo virus identificado en Medio Oriente en el 2012. Hasta octubre del 2013 se cuentan con 138 casos confirmados por laboratorio con 60 muertes. Cada año, alrededor de dos millones de peregrinos se dirigen hacia La Meca en Arabia Saudita durante el Hajj, una de las concentraciones religiosas masivas más importantes del mundo. Este año se presenta una alerta particular por el Hajj dado que el coronavirus podría ser potencialmente diseminado hacia otros países debido a la movilización de personas que implica este acontecimiento. América posee 4,6 millones de residentes musulmanes, por lo que un adecuado seguimiento de las personas que viajaron a Medio Oriente es imperativo para evitar la diseminación de este coronavirus hacia el continente. La siguiente revisión tiene como objetivo actualizar al lector sobre el tema, brindando información general de los coronavirus, especialmente sobre el que causa el Síndrome Respiratorio de Medio Oriente, la historia en el surgimiento de la enfermedad y sus manifestaciones clínicas; se propone además una serie de recomendaciones generales para las autoridades de salud de cada país para evitar así una epidemia. (MÉD.UIS. 2013;27(1):25-33).

Infectious diseases epidemiology during a mass gathering requires ample planning and implementation of control measures by health authorities in each country involved. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome caused by a coronavirus is caused by a newly identified virus in the Middle East during 2012. Until October 2013, 138 laboratory confirmed cases with 60 deaths have been reported. Every year, almost two million pilgrims direct themselves towards the Mecca in Saudi Arabia during the Hajj, one of the most important religious massive gatherings worldwide. This year represents a particular alert for this event due to the possibility that Middle East Respiratory Syndrome caused by a coronavirus can thus be disseminated throughout the world because of pilgrims' mobilization. The American continent possesses 4.6 million Muslim residents that may participate in this event. Therefore, an adequate surveillance of the people who traveled to the Middle East is mandatory in order to avoid virus dissemination to our continent. Here we present an up-to-date topic revision, giving general information about coronaviruses, emphasizing on the coronavirus causing the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, the history of its emerging and its clinical manifestations. We propose also a series of general recommendations directed to the health authorities of each country for appropriate control of disease to prevent dissemination and a potential epidemic. (MÉD.UIS. 2013;27(1):25-33).

Fatores de risco simultâneos para doenças crônicas não transmissíveis em adolescentes escolares brasileiros / Simultaneous risk factors for non comunicable chronic diseases on Brazilian School Teenagers

Objetivo: Estimar a prevalência da simultaneidade de fatores de risco para doenças crônicas não transmissíveis e o agregamento não aleatório destes, além dos fatores associados em adolescentes escolares brasileiros. Método: Estudo epidemiológico, transversal, analítico, desenvolvido com dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE 2015). As variáveis de exposição foram: sociodemográficas, psicossociais, de contexto e supervisão familiar e comportamento parental e dos pares. A variável resposta foi número de fatores de risco para doenças crônicas não transmissíveis. Foram estimados a prevalência, a simultaneidade e o agravamento dos fatores de risco: tabagismo, uso de álcool, inatividade física e baixo consumo de frutas e legumes. O agregamento foi verificado quando a razão entre a prevalência observada e esperada foi superior a 1. Para verificar os determinantes associados à ocorrência de fatores de risco simultâneos foi utilizada regressão de Poisson para dados de contagem. As análises foram realizadas no software Stata 15.0. Resultados: A prevalência de dois fatores de risco simultâneos foi mais alta (56,1%; IC95%: 55,5-56,6). A combinação de fatores de risco mais prevalente foi ­Baixo consumo de frutas e hortaliças + Inatividade física‖ (66%; IC95%: 65,8-66,9). Houve agregamento de fatores de risco e a maior razão entre a prevalência observada e esperada foi para: ­Tabagismo + Álcool‖ (79,0; IC95%: 73,8-84,2). O modelo final de regressão mostrou que sentimentos de solidão, perda de sono, não ter amigos próximos, menor supervisão familiar, ter pais que fumam e amigos que bebem foram associados ao aumento no número esperado de fatores de risco. Conclusão: Os achados mostram elevada prevalência de fatores de risco simultâneos, com agregamento nos adolescentes. Os adolescentes com menor supervisão parental, cujos pais fumam e amigos bebem apresentaram maior número esperado de fatores de risco. Intervenções com foco nos determinantes podem ajudar a diminuir a agregação de fatores de risco e prevenir desfechos crônicos na fase adulta.(AU)

Objective: Estimate the prevalence of simultaneity of risk factors in not transmissible chronic diseases, and their non-random aggregation, beyond factors associated to Brazilian school teenagers. Method: Eidemiologic, transversal, analytical study developed with data of the Scholar National Health Research (PeNSE 2015). The exposition variables were: social-demographic, psycho-social, with family context and supervision, parental behavior and from pairs. The reposed variable was number of risk factors for not transmissible chronic diseases. It was estimated the prevalence, the simultaneity and aggregation of risk factors: tobacco use, alcohol use, lack of physical activity, and low consuming of fruits and vegetables. Aggregation was verified when the reason between the observed and expected prevalence was over 1. In order to verify the determinants associated to occurrences of simultaneous risk factors, Poisson regression for counting data was used. The analysis was made with the software Stata 15.0. Results: The prevalence of two simultaneous risk factors was higher (56,1%; IC95%: 55,5-56,6). The combination of most prevalent risk factors was ­Low consume of fruits and vegetables + lack of physical activity‖ (66%; IC95%: 65,8-66,9). There has been aggregation of risk factors, being the higher reason between the observed and expected prevalence was to ­tobacco + alcohol (79,0; IC95%: 73,8-84,2). The final sample for regression has shown that psycho-social aspects, lower family supervision and parental behavior and risk pairs were associated to the increase or the expected number of risk factors. Conclusion: The findings show elevated prevalence of simultaneous risk factors, with their aggregation on teenagers. The adolescents with less parental supervision, smoker parents, and friends who drink alcohol show increase in the expected number of risk factors. Interventions focusing on the determinants can help reduce aggregation to risk factors and prevent chronic outcomes in adulthood.(AU)

Meningites infecciosas em idosos: estudo de uma série de casos em hospital de referência / Epidemiological and clinical profile of the infectious meningitis in the elderly: a study of cases series in a reference hospital

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A frequência e a gravidade das doenças infecciosas aumentam com a idade, constituindo-se em importante causa de mortalidade após os 60 anos. As meningites bacterianas, por exemplo, apresentam altos índices de letalidade nos idosos, podendo chegar a níveis próximos de 80%. Apesar da relevância, poucos estudos sobre o perfil epidemiológico das meningites infecciosas em idosos foram realizados no Brasil. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar aspectos clínico-epidemiológicos das meningites infecciosas em pacientes internados em hospital de referência no município de Goiânia.MÉTODO: Estudo descritivo, retrospectivo, de uma série de 64 casos de meningites infecciosas em pacientes com mais de 60 anos, mediante análise dos dados obtidos dos prontuários médicos de pacientes internados no Hospital de Doenças Tropicais de Goiânia, GO, no período de 2000 a 2006.RESULTADOS: As meningites infecciosas mais prevalentes foram bacteriana não especificada (64,02%), pneumocócica (14,06%) e viral (12,5%), seguidas pela fúngica (4,68%), tuberculosa (3,12%) e meningocócica (1,56%). A mortalidade geral foi elevada (35,9%). Alterações mentais e do estado de consciência no momento do atendimento ao paciente foram observadas em 98,4% dos casos, constituindo-se no principal dado semiótico para a suspeição diagnóstica. Observou-se longo período entre o início dos sintomas e a realização do diagnóstico (média: 6,6 dias) nos pacientes. CONCLUSÃO: O estudo demonstrou um intervalo de tempo excessivamente longo entre o início dos sintomas de meningite e o diagnóstico, o que pode piorar o prognóstico e aumentar a letalidade.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The frequency and severity of infectious diseases increase with age, becoming an important cause of mortality after 60 years of age. Bacterial meningitis,for example, has high rates of lethality in the elderly, reaching levels close to 80%. Despite the relevance, few studies on the epidemiology of infectious meningitis in the elderly were performed in Brazil. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and epidemiological aspects of infectious meningitis in patients hospitalized in a reference hospital in the city of Goiânia.METHOD: Descriptive, retrospective study, with a series of 64 cases of infectious meningitis in patients over 60 years, through analysis of data obtained from medical records of inpatients at the Hospital de Doenças Tropicais de Goiânia, state of Goiás, from 2000 to 2006.RESULTS: The most prevalent infectious meningitis were unspecified bacterial meningitis (64.02%), pneumococcal (14.06%), and viral (12.5%), followed by fungal (4.68%), tuberculous (3.12%),and meningococcal (1.56%) meningitis. Overall mortality washigh (35.9%). Mental changes, and of the state of consciousness at the time of medical consultation were observed in 98.4% of cases,constituting the main semiotic data to diagnostic suspicion in the elderly. A long period between the onset of symptoms and the correct diagnosis (mean: 6.6 days) was observed.CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated an excessively long time between the onset of symptoms and the diagnosis of meningitis, which may worsen the prognosis and increase mortality.

Produção nacional e acesso sobre enfermagem e doenças transmissíveis / National production and access on nursing and transmissible diseases

Este trabalho trata-se de um levantamento bibliográfico de 2004 ? 2008, dos bancos de dados Lilacs (Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde) e, Medline (Literatura Internacional em Ciências da Saúde) no qual se buscou identificar as questões do acesso e da produção nacional da enfermagem com relação às doenças transmissíveis. Foram encontrados 389 trabalhos brasileiros, ao quais 354 foram excluídos por não apresentarem acesso aos textos completos, sendo considerados somente 35 artigos. Mesmo com avanços do conhecimento científico na área, poucos são os trabalhos nacionais de enfermagem relacionados às doenças transmissíveis, quanto ao acesso aos trabalhos, houve dificuldade em encontrá-los como textos completos na internet.

This is a bibliographical survey from the period of 2004 to 2008, the databases LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences) and Medline (International Literature of Health) aimed to identify the issues of access, and national production of nursing related to transmissible diseases. It was found 389 works in Brazil, 354 were excluded for not allowing access to the full content of the text, so only 35 articles were considered. Even with scientific advances in the area, there are few national studies of nursing liaison regarding transmissible diseases, as access to the works done, it was difficulty to find their full content online.