RESUMO
Chagas disease (CD), caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), affects millions of people worldwide. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) have been used as tools to monitor parasitic levels in the bloodstream of individuals exposed to infection, thus enabling the monitoring of relapses and the effectiveness of therapy, for example. The aim of this study was to evaluate the TcSAT-IAM system, developed by our research group, on samples from patients with suspected Chagas disease infection. Initially, primer systems were developed for the detection of the nuclear DNA (SAT-DNA) from T. cruzi (TcSAT-IAM). The Cruzi system, predicted in the literature, and TcSAT-IAM were then evaluated in relation to their analytical sensitivity, specificity and efficiency. Afterwards, the applicability of the qPCR technique using both systems (separately) for the diagnosis of acute CD was evaluated in samples from 77 individuals exposed to the outbreak that occurred in Pernambuco-Brazil, relating the results obtained to those of the classical diagnostic methods recommended for this stage of the infection. TcSAT-IAM and Cruzi had a detection limit of 1 fg of target DNA (0,003 parasites). Thirty-eight cases were recorded, 28 by laboratory criteria and 10 by clinical and epidemiological criteria. Blood samples from 77 subjects were submitted to qPCR by both systems, reaching an agreement of 89.61% between them. After analyzes between systems and diagnostic criteria, the TcSAT-IAM showed sensitivity and specificity of 52.36% (CI 37.26-67.52) and 92.31% (CI 79.68-97.35), respectively, accuracy of 72.73% and moderate agreement. The TcSAT-IAM showed an accuracy of 72.58% and 75% in relation to parasitological and serological tests (IgM anti-T. cruzi), respectively. Therefore, quantitative PCR should be incorporated into the diagnosis of suspected acute cases of Chagas disease.
Assuntos
Doença de Chagas , Trypanosoma cruzi , Humanos , Brasil/epidemiologia , Patologia Molecular , DNA de Protozoário/genética , Doença de Chagas/diagnóstico , Doença de Chagas/epidemiologia , Doença de Chagas/tratamento farmacológico , Trypanosoma cruzi/genética , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase em Tempo Real/métodos , Surtos de DoençasRESUMO
Tenofovir/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) has been used as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in preventing HIV infection. PrEP is an effective prevention tool as demonstrated in clinical trials and studies in clinical practice and was incorporated into the Brazilian public health system in December 2017. The present study was a prospective cohort that included 219 PrEP users monitored over a 10 month follow-up period in a capital city in Northeastern Brazil. Data were collected from the PrEP users' electronic medical records platform made available by the Brazilian Health Ministry. During the observation period, there was good user retention to the prevention program (84%) and there was high adherence to medication (90%). Almost half the users (49%) presented an adverse event, although these were mild and transient, 30 days after starting prophylaxis. There was a significant reduction in creatinine clearance (p < .001), from 104.9 to 83.5 mL/min; however, there was no need for drug discontinuation. Throughout the cohort, there was no significant change in the number of sexual partners, but the use of condoms during sexual intercourse decreased (p < .001). There was a non-significant increase in the incidence of syphilis (p = .08), and there was a 50% decrease in reporting signs and symptoms of sexually transmitted infections. No cases of HIV infection were observed. PrEP proved to be an effective tool in HIV prevention, presenting few complications of adverse events.
Assuntos
Fármacos Anti-HIV , Infecções por HIV , Profilaxia Pré-Exposição , Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis , Fármacos Anti-HIV/efeitos adversos , Brasil , Emtricitabina/uso terapêutico , Infecções por HIV/epidemiologia , Homossexualidade Masculina , Humanos , Masculino , Estudos Prospectivos , Comportamento Sexual , Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis/epidemiologia , Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis/prevenção & controleRESUMO
This paper shows data regarding dengue and hemorrhagic fever of the dengue epidemic in Recife in 2002 and the clinical, laboratorial and necropsy results from the 14 patients who died that year. The serotype Den-3 was detected in 76.3% of cases. The majority of deaths occurred among men, over 20 years old, on the 11th day of disease, attended in the private hospitals. The average values of the hematocrit and platelets were 40.7% and 56,313 p/mm3, respectively. Hepatitis, with high levels of transaminases, occurred in the majority of patients, who generally were anicteric. Of the fourteen deaths, 13 received laboratorial confirmation of the infection. In eight cases death occurred due to hemorrhagic phenomena, however, in the other 6 cases significant bleeding was not identified. Vascular collapse (shock) was present in 12 (85.7%) cases, with or without the association of major bleeding, and was the most important cause of death.
Assuntos
Vírus da Dengue/genética , Dengue/mortalidade , Surtos de Doenças , Adolescente , Adulto , Animais , Brasil/epidemiologia , Causas de Morte , Dengue/diagnóstico , Dengue/virologia , Feminino , Genótipo , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Dengue Grave/diagnóstico , Dengue Grave/mortalidade , Dengue Grave/virologiaRESUMO
Este estudo mostra os dados da epidemia de dengue e febre hemorrágica da dengue ocorrida na Cidade do Recife no ano de 2002 e as características clínicas, laboratoriais e de necropsia dos 14 casos de óbito por dengue. Foram notificados 35.597 casos, dos quais 208 foram febre hemorrágica da dengue e 14 evoluíram para óbito. O sorotipo Den-3 ocorreu em 76,3 por cento dos casos. A maioria dos óbitos ocorreu entre homens com mais de 20 anos, no 11º dia da doenca, assistidos nos hospitais privados. Os valores médios do hematócrito e das plaquetas foram 40,7 por cento e 56.313p/mm , respectivamente. A hepatite, com níveis elevados de transaminases, ocorreu na maioria dos pacientes, que geralmente encontravam-se anictéricos. Dos quatorze casos, 13 tiveram confirmacão laboratorial. Em oito casos o óbito decorreu de fenômenos hemorrágicos, entretanto, nos outros seis casos não foram identificados sangramentos significativos. O choque, decorrente do extravasamento vascular, associado ou não a sangramentos significativos, esteve presente em 12 (85,7 por cento) casos, sendo portanto a principal causa de óbito nos casos graves de dengue.