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Objective: The aim of this study was to identify if cochlear implant (CI) users are perceiving a decrease in life quality due to voice problems. This study evaluated 43 CI user's perception of their voice and how it affects their quality of life through a survey. Approach: Forty-three CI users responded to a survey regarding their demographics, details about their CI, the Hearing Health Quick Test (HHQT), the Voice Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL), and the Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10). The survey responses were analyzed using univariate linear regression analysis. Results: Few of the CI users scored below the cut off for normal voice related quality of life. CI users averaged 93.4 out of 100 on the V-RQOL and only four scored abnormally for the VHI-10. Lower scores on the V-RQOL were correlated with the participants having an associate degree and with participants visiting friends, family, and neighbors less often due to hearing loss. The VHI-10 scores were correlated with gender, education levels, difficulty in social situations due to hearing loss, noise exposure, and tinnitus. Limitations of the study: The small n was the primary limitation of this study. Originality: This study was one of the first to examine the voice-related quality of life in CI users. Conclusions: Overall, respondents did not perceive much voice-related difficulty. However, they were more likely to perceive voice-related difficulty if they experienced difficulty hearing in noise and avoided social situations due to hearing loss.

Objetivo: Este estudio identificó si los usuarios de implantes cocleares (IC) están percibiendo una disminución en la calidad de su vida debido a problemas de voz. Además, evaluó la percepción de la voz de 43 usuarios de IC y cómo afecta su calidad de vida a través de una encuesta. Enfoque: Cuarenta y tres usuarios de IC respondieron a una encuesta sobre su demografía, detalles sobre su IC, la Hearing Health Quick Test (HHQT), la Voice Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL) y el Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10). Las respuestas de la encuesta se analizaron mediante un análisis de regresión lineal univariado. Resultados: Pocos usuarios de IC puntuaron por debajo del límite para calidad de vida relacionada con la voz. El promedio V-RQOL fue de 93,4/100; solo 4 participantes tuvieron puntuación anormal en VHI-10. Las bajas puntuaciones en V-RQOL se correlacionaron con título de asociado y menos visitas por pérdida auditiva; las puntuaciones VHI-10, con sexo, educación, dificultad en situaciones sociales, exposición al ruido y tinnitus. Limitaciones del estudio: La pequeña n fue la principal limitación de este estudio. Originalidad: Este estudio fue uno de los primeros en examinar la calidad de vida relacionada con la voz en usuarios de CI. Conclusiones: En general, los encuestados no percibieron mucha dificultad relacionada con la voz. Sin embargo, era más probable que percibieran dificultades relacionadas con la voz si tenían dificultades para oír en ruido y evitaban situaciones sociales debido a la pérdida auditiva.

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BACKGROUND: COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a global health threat and remains a challenge for modern medicine. Rapid and accurate diagnosis of COVID-19 is vital for proper disease and outbreak management. Our review aimed to analyze scientific articles published in the literature addressing the rapid tests available for COVID-19 diagnosis at the first year of the pandemic. METHODS: A systematic review was performed from October 22 to 27, 2020, searching data published in PubMed and Google Scholar databases, using subject headings or keywords related to point of care and rapid test diagnostic for SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19. RESULTS: The first survey identified 403 articles, but only 23 met the defined criteria for the systematic analysis. The sensitivity and specificity parameters were assessed in 19 studies, and the data suggested that there was lower sensitivity in the period 1 to 7 days after the emergence of symptoms (∼38%) higher sensitivity at 8 to 14 days (∼90%), and the highest at 15 to 39 days (∼98%). Accuracy was reported in six studies, reporting values above 50%. Only three studies reported a possible cross-reaction. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that the rapid tests used in the first year of the pandemic were tested with a small number of samples and not adequately validated. And the studies that described them were conducted with little scientific rigor.

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This study aimed to evaluate the use of saliva samples in the Dot-ELISA test for immunodiagnosis of human strongyloidiasis. The Dot-ELISA presented similar results to the ELISA test, with 70% and 60% sensitivity and 85% and 90% specificity, respectively, for IgA in the saliva. The Dot-ELISA with alternative saliva samples may be a suitable tool for diagnosing human strongyloidiasis, especially in populations with high levels of exposure to helminth.

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This work describes the first method using biochar (BC) as carbonaceous platform for immunoassay application. BC is a highly functionalized material obtained through biomass pyrolysis under controlled conditions. Due to the highly functionalized surface, covalent binding between BC and biomolecules can be performed by EDC/NHS conjugation. The application of the modified electrode was done with Hantavirus, that are etiologic agents mainly transmitted by wild rodents. Among its pathologies Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome (HCPS) arises at Americas, caused by Hantavirus Araucária and reaches 40% lethality. The diagnostic is based on the presence of specific hantavirus nucleoprotein (Np), under viremic condition or IgG2b antibodies (Ab), during first symptoms. The results presented a device sensitivity of 5.28 µA dec-1 and a LOD of 0.14 ng mL-1 to the Np detection, ranging from 5.0 ng mL-1 to 1.0 µg mL-1, the Ab detection works as qualitative type sensor above 200 ng mL-1. Both sensors were evaluated its selectivity and serum samples; selectivity against Gumboro disease, VP2 protein, and antibody IgG2a against Yellow fever disease (YF), respectively. So, the devices here proposed are promising tool suitable for both rodent and human hantavirus clinical surveys.

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O diagnóstico da leishmaniose visceral canina é complexo e desafiador, pois não existem testes 100% sensíveis e específicos. O serviço público brasileiro utiliza a eutanásia como método de controle em cães sorologicamente positivos. Além disso, os médicos veterinários têm dificuldade em padronizar o diagnóstico sorológico de rotina em razão da falta de técnicas e métodos padronizados e do uso de testes sorológicos exclusivamente qualitativos. Esse cenário requer a busca detestes mais confiáveis e padronizados, para evitar o abate de cães falso-positivos e a vacinação de infectados, bem como tratamentos desnecessários por interpretações equivocadas decorrentes dos resultados de exames. Esta revisão propõe apresentar e discutir as vantagens e desvantagens dos testes sorológicos empregados para o diagnóstico da doença no Brasil.

Diagnosis of Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis is complex and challenging, because no test is 100% sensitive and specific. The Brazilian public service employs the euthanasia of seropositive dogs as a control method. Additionally, veterinarians have difficulty in standardizing the serological diagnostic routine, due to the lack of technical and standardized methods and the use of exclusively qualitative serological tests for diagnosis. This scenario requires the search for more reliable and standardized tests in order to prevent the slaughter of false-positive dogs, vaccination of infected animals and unnecessary treatments as a result of test misinterpretation. This review aims to present and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of serologic tests used to diagnose the disease in Brazil.

El diagnóstico de la leishmaniasis visceral canina es complejo y desafiante, ya que no existen testes 100% sensibles y específicos. El servicio público brasileño utiliza la eutanasia como método de control de perros seropositivos. Además, los médicos veterinarios tienen dificultades para estandarizar el diagnóstico serológico de rutina debido a la falta de técnicas y métodos estandarizados, y porque los testes serológicos son exclusivamente cualitativos. Este escenario evidencia la necesidad de tests más confiables y estandarizados, para evitar la eutanasia de perros falsos positivos, la vacunación de animales infectados, así como la realización de tratamientos innecesarios por interpretaciones erróneas de los exámenes. Esta revisión propone presentar y discutir las ventajas y desventajas de los testes serológicos utilizados para el diagnóstico de la enfermedad en Brasil.

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O diagnóstico da leishmaniose visceral canina é complexo e desafiador, pois não existem testes 100% sensíveis e específicos. O serviço público brasileiro utiliza a eutanásia como método de controle em cães sorologicamente positivos. Além disso, os médicos veterinários têm dificuldade em padronizar o diagnóstico sorológico de rotina em razão da falta de técnicas e métodos padronizados e do uso de testes sorológicos exclusivamente qualitativos. Esse cenário requer a busca detestes mais confiáveis e padronizados, para evitar o abate de cães falso-positivos e a vacinação de infectados, bem como tratamentos desnecessários por interpretações equivocadas decorrentes dos resultados de exames. Esta revisão propõe apresentar e discutir as vantagens e desvantagens dos testes sorológicos empregados para o diagnóstico da doença no Brasil.(AU)

Diagnosis of Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis is complex and challenging, because no test is 100% sensitive and specific. The Brazilian public service employs the euthanasia of seropositive dogs as a control method. Additionally, veterinarians have difficulty in standardizing the serological diagnostic routine, due to the lack of technical and standardized methods and the use of exclusively qualitative serological tests for diagnosis. This scenario requires the search for more reliable and standardized tests in order to prevent the slaughter of false-positive dogs, vaccination of infected animals and unnecessary treatments as a result of test misinterpretation. This review aims to present and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of serologic tests used to diagnose the disease in Brazil.(AU)

El diagnóstico de la leishmaniasis visceral canina es complejo y desafiante, ya que no existen testes 100% sensibles y específicos. El servicio público brasileño utiliza la eutanasia como método de control de perros seropositivos. Además, los médicos veterinarios tienen dificultades para estandarizar el diagnóstico serológico de rutina debido a la falta de técnicas y métodos estandarizados, y porque los testes serológicos son exclusivamente cualitativos. Este escenario evidencia la necesidad de tests más confiables y estandarizados, para evitar la eutanasia de perros falsos positivos, la vacunación de animales infectados, así como la realización de tratamientos innecesarios por interpretaciones erróneas de los exámenes. Esta revisión propone presentar y discutir las ventajas y desventajas de los testes serológicos utilizados para el diagnóstico de la enfermedad en Brasil.(AU)

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O artigo analisa a adesão dos cidadãos ao teste rápido de despistagem do VIH no Centro de Aconselhamento e Deteção Precoce do VIH/sida (CAD) da cidade de Bragança (Nordeste de Portugal). Em concreto, procura-se examinar o papel do diagnóstico rápido na luta contra a infeção pelo VIH/sida no quadro do sistema público de saúde português, compreender as circunstâncias subjacentes à procura do serviço e interpretar as percepções e práticas dos utentes do CAD objecto desta pesquisa. Em termos metodológicos, tratou-se de um estudo de caso assente em inquirição etnográfica, articulando observação direta, diálogos informais e entrevistas, a que se associou uma extensa pesquisa documental e estatística. Os resultados apurados permitem afirmar que o teste rápido proporcionou um contributo muito positivo para a luta contra a infeção pelo VIH/sida, facilitando o acesso dos cidadãos ao conhecimento praticamente imediato do seu estado serológico e melhorando o seguimento destes por parte dos técnicos de saúde. A chamada “dissipação da incerteza”, na sequência de uma situação de risco, é o principal motivo que leva os utentes a realizar o teste rápido...

The article examines the adherence of citizens to the quick test for HIV in the Counseling and Early Detection of HIV/AIDS Center (CAD), in the city of Bragança (Northeast Portugal). Specifically, it seeks to examine the role of a fast diagnosis in the fight against AIDS within the Portuguese public health system, to understand the circumstances underlying the demand for the service and to interpret the perceptions and practices of CAD users. In terms of methodology, it was a case study based on ethnographic inquiry, linking direct observation, informal conversations and interviews, which was associated with extensive documental and statistic research. The results obtained allow us to state that the quick test gave a very positive contribution to the fight against HIV/AIDS infection, facilitating citizen access to knowledge of their serological status almost instantly and improving their follow-up by health technicians. The so-called “dissipation of uncertainty”, following sexual risk behavior, is the main reason that leads users to perform a quick test...

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La rapidez, eficacia y oportunidad del diagnóstico de influenza facilita el manejo de casos confirmados a nivel terapéutico más aun considerándose el estado actual del virus pandémico H1N1/2009. Objetivo: Analizar la concordancia de cuatro pruebas rápidas para la detección de Influenza A en Bogotá. Métodos: En este estudio descriptivo de corte transversal fueron comparadas cuatro pruebas rápidas para la detección de Influenza A (Quick Vue Influenza A+B; Directigen Ez Flu A+B®; SD Bioline Influenza Antigen® y Clearview Exact Influenza A and B®) en un grupo de 57 hisopados nasofaríngeos de pacientes sospechosos del virus pandémico H1N1/2009, los cuales fueron analizados previamente por PCR en tiempo real y clasificados como positivos o negativos para Influenza A. Resultados: El comportamiento de las pruebas rápidas valorado por su concordancia global con la prueba de referencia fluctuó entre 68,19% y 74,47%, sin evidencias de diferencias estadísticamente significativa entre ellas (c2=0,35; p=0,95). Tampoco se encontró un comportamiento diferencial estadísticamente significativo al valorar la proporción de concordancia entre los positivos de cada una de las pruebas rápidas con la prueba de referencia. Conclusión: Existen varios trabajos a favor y en contra de las pruebas rápidas para influenza, y algunos destacan su baja sensibilidad y especificidad comparadas con otras metodologías, como inmunofluorescencia directa, cultivo viral y RT-PCR. Sin embargo,ante la emergencia que actualmente se vive por la pandemia viral H1N1/2009, diferentes estrategias de vigilancia en salud pública, incluidas los estudios centinela y de conglomerados, pudieran ser implementados y las pruebas rápidas influenza (sin importar la casa comercial) serían útiles por sus características operativas, bajo costo y la posibilidad de lograr mayores coberturas de identificación de casos nuevos, descongestión de servicio y ajuste rápido de medidas en salud pública.

Rapidity, effectiveness and opportunity of influenza diagnosis make easy confirmed cases handling at therapeutic level most of all considering actual state of pandemic virus A H1N1/2009. Objective: To analyze agreement of four quick tests for Influenza A detection of in Bogotá. Methods: In a cross sectional fashion it was compared four quick tests designed for influenza detection (Quick Vue Influenza A + B; Directigen Ez Flu A + B®; SD Bioline Influenza Antigen® and Clearview Exact Influenza A and B®) in 57 nasopharynxeal hyssoped examples of suspicious patients of pandemic A H1N1/2009 virus, all of them were previously analyzed by real-time PCR and classified as positive for that virus. Results: Behavior of fast tests valued by its global agreement against test of reference fluctuated between 68.19% and 74,47%, without significant statistical differences among them (p=0,95). Neither significant statistical differences were found upon valuing proportion of agreement among positives each one of fast tests with reference test. Conclusions: There are some works on behalf or against of influenza rapid tests, and some of them emphasizes their low sensibility and specificity against other techniques, like direct inmunofluorescence inmunofluorescence, viral culture and RT-PCR. Nevertheless, in order to face the actual viral AH1N1/2009 pandemic, different strategies of public health surviellance, (including sentinel and conglomerate studies), could be implemented. Influenze Rapid tests (making exclusion of trade mark) would be serviceable by their operative characteristics, low cost and high possibility of identify new cases and by that way, it would possible emergence services decongestion and fast adjustment of measures in Public Health.

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