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Background and aimsThe burden hepatitis C infection in people with history or current drug use suppose a high risk of hepatic complications and transmission infectious disease. This population is poor linked to heath system and is difficult to achieve them and support treatment because they have high rates of lost follow-up. Our aim was to evaluate an intervention for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic hepatitis C and HIV in this population.MethodsSix-hundred and eighty-three people attended in Drugs and Addictions Centers (DAC) were asked to participate in health counseling and provide blood sample for test HCV, HIV, and syphilis from April 2019 to June 2020. Totally 556 subjects were surveyed and tested. All of them were assigned to a patient navigation program to improve health education and linking to the sanitary system. Hepatitis C infection patients were evaluated in an ampliated medical consult to evaluate hepatic stage with transient liver elastography and initiated Direct Acting Antivirals to achieve Sustained Viral Response.ResultsOf the 556 patients who agreed to participate in the study, 33 (5.9%) had active HCV infection. Of the 33 patients infected with HCV, three were lost to follow-up once the diagnosis of HCV infection was made. Twenty-eight patients (93.3%) completed treatment and 26 achieved Sustained Viral Response (78.8%). Of the 30 patients, seven (23.3%) had advanced fibrosis, and of these, four (16.6%) had liver cirrhosis. One of the cirrhotic patients had hepatic space-occupying lesions at the baseline evaluation and was diagnosed with hepatocarcinoma.ConclusionsOur study suggests that the implementation of strategies based on personalized intervention models can contribute to the control of HCV infection in DAC users.

Meloidae are commonly known as blister beetles, so called for the secretion of cantharidin, a toxic substance that causes irritation and blistering. There has been a recent increase in the interest of the cantharidin anticancer potential of this insect group. Cytogenetic and molecular data in this group are scarce. In this study, we performed a karyotype analysis of Hycleus scutellatus, an endemic species of the Iberian Peninsula. We determined its chromosome number, 2n = 20, as well as the presence of the X and Y sex chromosomes. In addition to a karyotype analysis, we carried out DAPI staining. By fluorescence in situ hybridization we mapped the rDNA clusters on 12 different chromosomes. Compared to others, this species shows an unusually high number of chromosomes carrying rDNA. This is one of the highest numbers of rDNA sites found in the Polyphaga suborder (Coleoptera). Additionally, we isolated a satellite DNA family (Hyscu-H), which was located within the pericentromeric regions of all chromosomes, including the sex chromosomes. The results suggest that Hyscu-H is likely to be one of the most abundant satellite DNA repeats in H. scutellatus.

Simple Summary The family Meloidae contains approximately 3000 species, commonly known as blister beetles for their ability to secrete a substance called cantharidin, which causes irritation and blistering in contact with animal or human skin. In recent years there have been numerous studies focused on the anticancer action of cantharidin and its derivatives. Despite the recent interest in blister beetles, cytogenetic and molecular studies in this group are scarce and most of them use only classical chromosome staining techniques. The main aim of our study was to provide new information in Meloidae. In this study, cytogenetic and molecular analyses were applied for the first time in the family Meloidae. We applied fluorescence staining with DAPI and the position of ribosomal DNA in Hycleus scutellatus was mapped by FISH. Hycleus is one of the most species-rich genera of Meloidae but no cytogenetic data have yet been published for this particular genus. Additionally, we isolated a satellite DNA family located within the pericentromeric regions of all chromosomes. The results obtained in this study may be a suitable starting point to initiate more extensive cytogenetic analyses in this important species-rich genus, and in the family Meloidae in general. Abstract Meloidae are commonly known as blister beetles, so called for the secretion of cantharidin, a toxic substance that causes irritation and blistering. There has been a recent increase in the interest of the cantharidin anticancer potential of this insect group. Cytogenetic and molecular data in this group are scarce. In this study, we performed a karyotype analysis of Hycleus scutellatus, an endemic species of the Iberian Peninsula. We determined its chromosome number, 2n = 20, as well as the presence of the X and Y sex chromosomes. In addition to a karyotype analysis, we carried out DAPI staining. By fluorescence in situ hybridization we mapped the rDNA clusters on 12 different chromosomes. Compared to others, this species shows an unusually high number of chromosomes carrying rDNA. This is one of the highest numbers of rDNA sites found in the Polyphaga suborder (Coleoptera). Additionally, we isolated a satellite DNA family (Hyscu-H), which was located within the pericentromeric regions of all chromosomes, including the sex chromosomes. The results suggest that Hyscu-H is likely to be one of the most abundant satellite DNA repeats in H. scutellatus.